Half of Potential Land Has Not Been Worked

Amuntai, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Secretary of the North Hulu Sungai (HSU) Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) Ilhamsyah Noor said the potential of agricultural land in the district reaches 60 thousand hectares, but only about 36 thousand hectares are cultivated.

"Actually planting rice in one year can reach five times, but it is only harvested once due to various obstacles, such as flood and planning work that has not been maximized," he said in Amuntai, Saturday.

Ilhamsyah said the presence of HKTI in the district is expected to improve the welfare of farmers, let alone the board of HKTI of 10 subdistricts are mostly farmers.

As HSU's HKTI management changes from 2017 to 2022 period, the organization targets to assist local governments in expanding their paddy fields.

"We hope that the neglected fields can be produced so that more farmers are raised in their welfare," said Ilhamsyah.

Chairman of the Regional Executive Board (DPD) of HKTI South Kalimantan Rifqinizamy Karsayuda said the potential of swamp land in HSU which reached 89 percent should be worked creatively.

"Of course this natural condition becomes a challenge, so it needs a lot of innovation in managing the swamp," said Rifqi.

HKTI, he added, is an early milestone for the means of struggling in the welfare of farmers. This effort should be undertaken jointly with the local government and other relevant elements.

"During this time, the constraints faced by farmers are related to rare fertilizer. HKTI should be able to guard the existence of fertilizer and cooperate with police, "said former lecturer at Law Faculty of Lambung Mangkurat University.

At the HKTI South Kalimantan Consultative Assembly (Musda) in Amuntai the board of HSU HKTI period of 2017-2022 chaired by H Akhmad Farhani was inaugurated. He was unanimously elected by the HKTI of 10 sub-districts.

Farhan who is a member of HSU legislative council said he would try to convey to the Ministry of Agriculture related to the problem of sleeping land in HSU to be productive.