Agricom.id, SEMARANG – In the massive harvest, the paddy production in Indonesia keeps increasing. Though the pandemic of corona virus (Covid-19) takes place, the farmers are happy to harvest.

District of Semarang as one paddy barn in Central Java province keeps doing paddy harvest massively and the peak is in April to May 2020. The massive harvest in the district multiplies the testimony that the harvest and food availability in Indonesia are not disturbed by the Covid-19.

Head of Plantation Agency, District of Semarang, Wigati Sunu said that the paddy field in the district to harvest in April 2020 would be 4.800 hectares (ha), much wider than those in March which reached 2.800 hectares. In May 2020, it is predicted that there would be harvest for about 2.600 hectares.

"Of the numbers, the paddy production in the district in this month would be about 23 thousand tons dry grain or equal to 13.600 tons of rice within about Rp 4.200 per kilogram," he said in Semarang, Friday (10/4/2020) as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

He also mentioned that one sub district in harvest is Kaliwungu. The sub district in April 2020 would harvest about 483 ha in 8 villages. Within the productivity about 7,9 tons/ha in average, Sub district of Kaliwungu would contribute to the paddy production in the district about 3.815 tons of dry grain.

"After the harvest, cultivate the soil immediately and plant again because the second planting is ahead and it is about to anticipate the dry season,” he told.

He also appreciated the spirit of the farmers, namely, the groups Haur Tutul which contributed to the food procurement in the district.

“The success happens for the support of the regent of Semarang and the development from the plantation agency, namely the agriculture counselors,” he said.

In the agriculture cultivation namely in nowadays situation, he told that the agriculture agency always reminds the farmers to do social distancing and social physics.

“The field counselors suggested the farmers not to make groups (when working) and should keep in distance, at least, 1 to 2 meters and should wear maskers,” he said.

He also mentioned that this is also supported by ministry of agriculture. In Sub district of Kaliwungu there are many helps, starting from the machine, paddy milling, the insurance, and the fund from kredit usaha rakyat (KUR).

"The most important thing is the synergy between the central and regional government to develop the agriculture. We want that in the massive harvest, the people get the food easily but the farmers also get the profits,” he explained.

In the other place, General Director of Food Plantation, Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi told that the massive harvest in District of Semarang has been running since March. It is one of paddy center in Central Java province and nationally. Ministry of agriculture runs the protocol of health to stop the spread of Covid-19 and the farmers keep harvesting to produce the qualified rice.

“Based on what Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo told, our agriculture, or the food availability should not stop, namely when fighting for the spread of Covid-19. This is the time to be the heroes in food to save the nation. One thing for sure, do not let the food postponed,” he said.

Suwandi also emphasized that ministry of agriculture, the regional governments, and the partners would keep maintaining the stocks, namely heading to fasting days. based on what President Joko Widodo told, the procurement, the distribution, and price of food during the pandemic of Covid-19 should be in good condition, including the rice for it is the main one.

“The other ways when being in harvest is the Komando Strategi Penggilingan Padi. The idea of Syahrul Yasin Limpo is to maintain the stable price when it is in peak. This breakthrough could directly absorb the grain produced by the farmers and in the recent days, ministry of trade announced the latest price of grain. We hope that PT. Bulong could adjust the new regulation,” he said. (A2)