Padang, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo has opined that farmers in Solok, West Sumatra, have successfully improved the agriculture sector in the district over the past two years.
"I am impressed by the measures in Solok, West Sumatra, which have been so efficient, as, in two years, they have caught up with the farmers from other areas," the minister noted during a visit to Solok district to inspect shallot cultivation on Wednesday.
Limpo drew attention to the massive efforts made by Javan farmers in developing their agriculture sector as well as cooperatives, and a similar initiative has been pursued in West Sumatra, particularly Solok.
He affirmed that the government, through the Agriculture Ministry, is collaborating with the West Sumatra and Solok governments to promote the implementation of an integrated farming system concept in the area.
"This integrated farming will push for various kinds of agriculture in an orderly conception," the minister elaborated.
He said that the integrated farming system concept is necessary not only for West Sumatra, but also other provinces across Indonesia. Therefore, all regions must be encouraged to emulate the concept, he pointed out.
He informed that the concept will also serve as the government's strategy to face the effects of El Nino, climate change, and other issues, particularly in the agriculture sector.
The minister opined that the district has promising potential in terms of natural resources, which can be developed constantly for agricultural purposes.
"Here in Solok, there's a pond, the very fertile soil, plus the regional government, which is very aggressive in promoting land use optimization," he added.
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