HST Grows Corn on the sidelines of a rubber plantation

Barabai, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Central Hulu Sungai (HST) Agriculture, Plantation and Counseling Agency together with the South Kalimantan Plantation and Livestock Agency socialized corn planting on the sidelines of rubber in the Layuh Batu village, Thursday (23/2).

Socialization to seven farmers groups of three sub-districts is to support the government in realizing national self-sufficiency in maize.

Head of Agriculture, plantations, and Extension Ir Zainuddin invited members of farmers group to utilize land on rubber plantations under three years old and have a wide enough spacing for planting corn.

"So it can give good results in the two varieties of the plant and can increase revenue," he said.

Seven farmer groups in three districts already have extensive planting 774 hectares and obtain additional planting area of 125 hectares. "With a total of 899 hectares of these crops is expected to increase corn production in the HST," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Facilities and Infrastructure of South Kaliantan Plantation and Livestock Agency Ir Murtiyani added, corn planting in rubber plantations is not only a source of additional revenue.

"For farmers it also serves to control weed , erosion, and other sources of organic matter in the soil to increase productivity. Going forward seven groups of farmers from three districts will be assisted with maize seed and fertilizer to maximize the potential of their rubber plantation later, "he explained.