Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture has declared Tanah Laut District in South Kalimantan as a model to apply modern technology in printing new smallholder rice fields to increase sustainable agricultural productivity.
Together with the district government of Tanah Laut, the Ministry launched the community rice field printing (CSR) in Ujung Village, Bati-bati Sub-district, as a model in using modern technology to significantly increase agricultural productivity.
"This is a role model by Agriculture Ministry to implemen modern printing of rice field," said Mulyono, the person in charge (PIC) of South Kalimantan Food Self-Sufficiency Program, in Tanah Laut, Tuesday.
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The program involves opening 4,000 hectare of new land, with the initial of 359 hectares to be planted with rice using drone, introducing new efficiency in planting process to local farmers.
He ensures full support, from clearing dead land, providing seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, and modern agricultural machinery to support long-term productivity.
Equipment such as two-wheeled tractors, four-wheeled tractors, rotavators, water pumps, seed-spreading drones, and combine harvesters to be distributed to expedite the planting and harvesting process.
Fifteen millennial farmers, members of Food Brigade, are trained to operate agricultural machinery, managing their farms, and ensure the land could be planted three times a year.
He appreciated the local government for preparing land protection regulations, including a ban on land conversion and an agreement of five to ten years for rice cultivation, to ensure sustainability of the program.
The long-term target is to make all 40,000 hectares of rice fields in Tanah Laut productive, harvesting three times a year, making this region a major buffer to the national rice supply.
"If all regents in Indonesia were like him (Tanah Laut Regent Rahmat Trianto), I am sure agriculture matters would be resolved," said Mulyono.
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