HST to develop 500-hectare soybean field

Barabai, South Kalimantan 10/10 (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Government of Central Hulu Sungai (HST), South Kalimantan, targets to develop 500 hectares of soybean crop fields following the assistance from the central government.

Head of the Agriculture and Horticulture Agency Zainuddin in Barabai on Tuesday said as its first leading agricultural sector soybean development continues to be improved, in synergy with the central government.

"The first planting of soybean crops is in Karatungan Village, Sub-district of Limpasu, and the rest in some other villages," said Zainuddin.

In Limpasu, the development of soybean crops involves eight groups of farmers (gapoktan) with a total land area of ??60 hectares and in Karatungan village its target of 10 hectares.

The rest, according to Zainuddin, spread throughout the HST in line with the study by the University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) related to potential land for soybean development.

"Some of the programs are aligned and received funding from the state budget, one of which is a cattle gestation service, targeted 100 cows, and pilot of raising goats, as well as cultivation of fodder grass," he said.

In addition, he said, the making of one trench dams, six hectares of chili planting, 25-hectare rubber plantation rejuvenation, corn planting integrated with 83 hectares of rubber plantation.

The district with the nickname `Bumi Murakata` is also received the assistance of fish seedling pond in Pihandam village to help the local community income.

Vice Regent H A Chairansyah asserted that local governments continue to pursue welfare improvements for farmers, so the central government's assistance should be utilized as well as possible.

"We are focusing on the development of agricultural sector which is the mainstay of HST in accordance with the vision and mission of the district and hope that the development of soybean can increase the income of the community," Chairansyah said.