Minister orders 40 excavators to swarm Jejangkit

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman accompanied by Governor South Kalimantan Sahbirin Noor observing a location for the commemoration of 37th World Food Day (HPS) for national level in 2018in Jejangkit Muara Village, Batola District. (Antaranews Kalsel/Humpro kalsel)

This should be optimized. The three months running is insignificant, so we target 2 or 3 months ahead of 4,000 hectares to be completed and I have to add heavy equipment,

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman ordered 40 excavators to move and swarm Jejangkit Muara Village, Barito Kuala (Batola) District, which is established as a model of integrated agriculture.

The big step the minister instructed after he was not satisfied to see the progress of land processing in the area that will host the commemoration of 37th World Food Day (HPS) for national level in 2018.

"This should be optimized. The three months running is insignificant, so we target 2 or 3 months ahead of 4,000 hectares to be completed and I have to add heavy equipment," Amran Sulaiman said when reviewing Jejangkit Village on Friday morning.

The man who is familiarly called Pak Amran did look so disappointed considering there was no significant development of land clearing in the swamp. Especially after hearing the explanation of Batola Secretary Supriyono that the land worked on today is only 750 hectares as a pilot for the early stages.

"Straight to 4,000 hectare not necessary for the pilot ceremonies. Unused excavators in other areas should be pulled all to Batola, I ordered 20 excavators from Jakarta to send today and three days will be arrived, so a total of 40 excavators moved around Batola. The World Food Day in October will absolutely have to be with a harvest. If fail, I close all budgets for Kalimantan and the responsible officials must be lost and this is our commitment, "the minister asserted.

Specifically Amran asked Provincial Military Commander (Danrem) 101/Antasari Colonel Inf Yudianto Putrajaya to set up posts as a coordination forum for farmers and related parties involved.

"If Wakasad (Army deputy chief of staff) Pak Tatang in Merauke Papua could finish 5000 hectares in two months, I ask Mr. Danrem 1 month for 4000 hectare. If succeed, I come again," he said and directly answered by Danrem with optimistic tone.

Minister, who doctoral program graduated of Agriculture Sciences in Hasanuddin University Makassar, said that South Kalimantan is like a sleeping giant whose land is very fertile and ready to work at any time.