Tabalong Prepares Rice Granary

Tanjung, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Tabalong Food Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Agency has set up five sub-districts as granary areas, namely Tanta, Muara Harus, Pugaan, Banua Lawas and Kelua. 

Head of Food Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Agency, JohanNoor Effendi here on Sunday said a number of agricultural infrastructure this year were built in the southern region of Tabalong. 

"Rice barn in the five subdistricts to support regional food security program," said Johan. 

So far, in the five subdistricts cropping is only done once in a year due to frequent flooding in the rainy season and irrigation system causes some swampy areas inundated. 

One of them in the village Ampukung, Subdistrict Kelua, there were approximately 1,280 hectares can not be planted due to submerged by overflowing Walangkir river. In fact, 850 hectares of land is a potential for the development of rice plants. 

"Coordination with the Public Works Agency has done to augment agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation canals considering potential land are many but can not be used because of inundation," added Johan. 

In addition, the agency implements the Program of Integrated Crop Management Field School (SLPTT) for 18,000 hectares in 2014 to increase rice production in this "Saraba Kawa Earth" (nickname for Tabalong).