The grand harvest was conducted by using a combine harvester, and paddy planting was later carried out by using a paddy transplanter.
After using the two machines, President Jokowi, who was accompanied by First Lady Iriana Widodo, released Nila fingerlings in a drainage.
Before some 500 local farmers, the head of state said Merauke should become a food exporter in the future.
"Moreover, rice fields covering a total area of 1.2 million hectares are available at the initial stage," he said.
To boost the paddy production, the government has given paddy harvesting and planting machines to local farmers.
(T.SYS/C/F001/F001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
