Banjar Develop Integrated Agricultural Region

By Yose Rizal

Martapura, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Banjar District government develops integrated farming areas in the subdistrict of Gambut and other subdistricts nearby. Several steps are now taken to realize the plan.

"Developing an integrated agricultural region takes a long time, so we prepare strategic steps to make it happen," said Head of Banjar Housing and Settlement Agency Boyke Triestianto in Martapura on Sunday.

It will be carried out starting from consolidation of agricultural land and making channel for water using(hydrology) and transportation and flood control.

The program also conducted regional intensification and extension of agriculture and animal husbandry which developed by quite a lot of people in the area.

"Intensification will be realized through the use of agricultural land not only for rice but also maize, while extending in the form of expansion of land for agriculture and livestock," he said.

The development of integrated farming region will be accompanied by the construction of biogas plant utilizing agricultural and animal waste, including household waste produced by society. It will solve the often complaint about smoke from postharvest burning.

Additionally, the installation can also process waste or solid waste or household waste, resulting in an energy source that can be utilized by society.

"We have submitted to the program to Research and Technology Ministry and responded positively, so just waiting for the study to begin development of the integrated agricultural region," he said.

He added that the areas to be the center of the integrated agricultural development not only in Gambut, but the surrounding subdistricts such as Sungai Tabuk and Kertak Hanyar. *** ***