"I praise the Tabanan district administration in Bali for achieving self-reliance in food production, with the availability of farm products exceeding local peoples needs," the minister said during a working visit in Tabanan district on Thursday.
He noted that as the Tabanan district government had continued to step up the development of its agricultural sector, the district had managed to meet local peoples food needs and improve farmers living standards.
"Dont delay in planting rice; dont leave land unused; and dont let the community sleep. Let us build this nation till it makes progress at a global level," he remarked.
Sulaiman also expressed hope that farmers would always be enthusiastic and consistent in developing the agricultural sector as a means to earn a living, as well as to motivate younger generations to strive towards improving the industry.
This way, the district, which is known as the "rice barn" of Bali province, will be able to take optimum advantage of the huge potential the agricultural sector presents, he affirmed.
During the course of the visit, the minister also handed over 24 tractors, water pumps, and Rp10 billion as funds to improve the irrigation networks in Tabanan district.
Moreover, District Head of Tabanan Ni Putu Eka Wiryastuti, in her address read out by District Secretary Nyoman Wirna Ariwangsa, stated that despite being the "rice barn" of the province, Tanaban still faced constraints and obstacles related to infrastructure development, and that it still needed assistance from the central government.
Wiryastuti added that the district had managed to maintain its rice production of 111 thousand tons, which made it the largest rice producer in Bali. With local rice consumption reaching 56 thousand tons, the district recorded a surplus of 55 thousand tons.
(S012/INE)
Reported by IK Sutika
EDITED BY INE
(S012/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
