Paringin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Balangan government will make improvements 1,100 hectares of irrigation area to support the expansion of land for rice, corn and soybeans.
Head of Food Security of South Kalimantan Agriculture and Horticulture Agency, Fathurrahman, in Paringin on Sunday, said the program of irrigation improvement in the province reached 25,900 hectares,
including in Balangan.
"The launching of the program is to improve irrigation in South Kalimantan by hoping to improve food security in line with the increasing number of residents," he said.
The total area of irrigation area improved by optimizing the farm not based on the extent of irrigation.
Fathurrahman added, the current demand for food is growing faster than supply growth. The increase in population and purchasing power as well as changes in appetite resulting in increased food import trend and
ultimately national food self-sufficiency declined.
Other challenges faced in achieving national food security is decreasing agricultural land converted into plantations, mining and housing.
Meanwhile, the plant needs watering is reduced because the number of damaged irrigation and is not working properly.
The launching of irrigation improvement was marked by placing the first stone by Balangan Vice Regent H Ansharuddin, Head of South Kalimantan PTPH Ir Faturrahman, Commander of District Military Command (Dandim) 1001 Amuntai-Balangan Agung Gunawan, as well as Vice Chairman of the Balangan DPRD M Noor Iswan.
Dandim 1001 Amuntai-Balangan Agung Gunawan and Head of Balangan PTPHPP (Agriculture, Food Crops and Horticulture Agency) Tuhalus signed MoU on cooperation programs in support of food security in Balangan.
Previous launching of irrigation improvements implemented in Tabalong, South Hulu Sungai, Banjar, Barito Kuala, Tanah Bumbu, Tanah Laut, Kotabaru, Tapin, Central Hulu Sungai, Balangan, and the last will be in North Hulu Sungai.
