HST Grow Organic Rice

By Ulul Maskuriah

Barabai, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Central Hulu Sungai (HST) South Kalimantan are developing production of organic rice, which using no chemical fertilizers in cultivation.

Head of HST Agriculture, Food Crops and Horticulture Ir Kemat here on Tuesday said, his agency is very supporting farmers in developing organic rice production, because it has a higher economic value than non-organic rice.

"As part of this support, we have distribute a wide range of assistance to farmers," he said.

The grant, among others, in the form of 42 units of thresher machinery and 495 units of handsprayers as well as various agriculture facilities to support local rice production increase.

According to Kemat , the price of organic rice in other regions such as in Jakarta is quite expensive, and able to achieve Rp25.000/kilogram persist in the packaging for two years.

The price for people who are health care is not significant problem, so the market is quite promising. Now that many people are becoming aware of the importance of maintaining health by consuming organic food.

Nevertheless, he said, for the citizens of South Kalimantan in general, Rp25,000 per kilogram still too expensive, thus it need a marketing strategy that the rice can be distributed smoothly and fixed targets.

HST Regent Harun Nurasid expressed appreciation for the successful of harvest in swampy areas for Farmers Group Handil Sajiran. 

According to him, the development of organic agricultural land, in addition to having a high economic value, also able to produce much more harvest that is up to 9 tons per hectare, exceed standards of about 6-7 tons per hectare .

"I am committed to advancing the agricultural sector in the region like in the village of Kayu Rabah which incidentally 

has majority swampy areas that can be planted in the dry season," he said.