"Based on the reports, including the Mount Sinabung eruptions, the impact of the disasters on food resilience was still relatively small. Even in terms of percentage, the impact is still small, as harvest failures were recorded at no more than 40 thousand hectares of rice fields," he noted after attending a coordination meeting with several district officials here on Tuesday.
The total rice fields in the country are between 13.5 million and 14 million hectares, and taking this fact into consideration, the percentage of harvest failure is still small, he pointed out.
However, he called on the people of all regions to stay vigilant as heavy rainfall is still forecast until mid-February, and so, there is a high likelihood of floods.
Rice harvest failure has occurred in several districts including Kudus, Pati, Demak, Jepara, and Grobogan in Central Java.
The minister emphasized that the regions will be provided seed assistance, and so, he hoped that they can immediately begin planting the seeds once the floodwaters recede.
He was hopeful that the rice saplings, which are still submerged in flood waters, may not be damaged or totally destroyed.
He explained that the national stock of rice seeds reached 13.6 thousand tons, and they can be planted on 565 thousand hectares of paddy fields, while the stock of corn and soybean seeds is also available.
"We are in a position to distribute the seed stock to the regions in need," he claimed.
However, he advised that the distribution of the seeds will be done after checking the readiness of the regions.
Besides seeds, the farmers whose rice fields were destroyed will also be offered financial aid worth Rp2.7 million per hectare.
Regarding national rice production in 2014, the minister remarked that it is estimated to reach 76 million tons of dried unhulled rice.
"Compared to 2013s production recorded at 71.8 million tons, the current years target is significantly higher," he stated.
The minister was optimistic that the target will be achieved in line with the Bukittinggi Action Plan.
Although, no budget has been allocated until now, as it is still under discussion, the plan, if implemented, can meet the set target, he added.
Reporting by Akhmad Nazaruddin Lathif
(H-YH/INE/s012)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
