"The swamp land optimization process in Merauke has been completed today, according to the target set, namely 40 thousand hectares," the ministry's Secretary of the Directorate General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities, Hermanto, noted in a statement from his office on Tuesday.
According to Hermanto, once land optimization is completed, farmers can immediately cultivate the land and plant to increase rice production.
He then outlined the 40 thousand hectares of swamp land optimization spread across six sub-districts: Tanah Miring, with an area of 10,540 ha; Kurik, 10,674 ha; Semangga, 6,000 ha; Malindo, 6,629 ha; Merauke, 1,609 ha; and Jagebob, covering an area of 4,549 ha.
He remarked that the construction work for land optimization in Merauke included the construction of irrigation networks, farm bridges, and water pumps.
Hermanto added that in addition to land optimization, land cultivation and planting will utilize agricultural mechanization by deploying modern agricultural machinery.
"With this technology, farmers will be able to manage up to five hectares of land per individual," he explained.
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Furthermore, he stated that the land optimization program will continue to run through the provision of assistance to farmers.
"The land optimization program is expected to make the easternmost region of Indonesia a food barn. The government will also assist the program through the development of rice cultivation, utilization of agricultural machinery, and others," he remarked.
Earlier, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the swamp land optimization activity showed the government's seriousness in anticipating the impact of El Nino and the food crisis.
His side along with the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) is currently intensively developing agricultural land in South Papua, especially Merauke District.
By utilizing modern agricultural mechanization and technology, his side is keen to speed up the planting season on the agricultural land.
"With such efforts, we can plant 2-3 times a year and increase the production," he remarked.
Related news: Govt optimizes swamp land for farming to achieve food self-sufficiency
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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