Agricom.id, PADANG PARIAMAN - Ministry of agriculture actively coordinated with the regional government to accelerate the cultivation and planting. West Sumatera Province implemented it fast to increase the paddy production and secure the food stocks in the corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic which would not influence the rice stocks.

Ministry of agriculture and Governor of West Sumatera, Irwan Prayitno did the paddy planting acceleration in District of Padang Pariaman within Kelompok Tani Rawang Lokan, Sub district of Lubuk Alung, Sunday (19/7/2020). It was attended by regent of Padang Pariaman, director of food plantation seeds, head of agriculture agency, West Sumatera Province, and head of agriculture agency of District of Padang Pariaman.

Irwan Prayitno asked for the people to maximize the agriculture areas. The regional government helped by the central government through ministry of agriculture would maximally support the groups which work hard to fulfill the people’s food needs.

“Do not let the areas cultivated unwell. The government is ready to help the farmers. We would encourage the planting to fulfill and secure the food when Covid-19 still threatens,” he said in his speech, as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

Meanwhile, Regent of Padang Pariaman, Ali Mukhni took the farmers to keep producing. He thought that though the paddy seed production is surplus in the district, it does not mean, the farmers would not increase the production. The surplus could be used by the farmers in other provinces, such as, Riau, Kepulauan Riau, and others.

“The paddy planting covers three hectares (ha) within the planting potential up to 35 ha. The farmers prefer the local - Putiah Papanai within 5,2 tons per hectare of productivity," he said.

Head of Plantation Agency, West Sumatera Province, Syafrizal said that the paddy fields in the province in June 2020 covered 51.474 ha and the targets to plant July would be 58.756 ha. His side is optimist that the planting would take place until September 2020.

“Just like Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo told, we have to accelerate the planting from April to September. Furthermore, we have information from food and agriculture organization (FAO) about the dry season. This is what we suggest to the people to plant immediately,” Syafrizal said.

Meanwhile, Hasanudin the representative of Nagari told that the groups planned to increase the paddy planting index. They need supports from the regional and central governments, such as, seeds of paddy and corn, and the paddy producer program.

“The helps would be important for the farmers namely in the pandemic so we could fulfill the seed needs there,” he said.

In the response to what he said, Director of Food Plantation Seed, Ministry of Agriculture, Takdir Mulyadi did appreciate what the groups do to accelerate the paddy planting in the second time. By the increasing paddy production, he is optimist to maintain the food availability nationally during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have to prepare our own food needs. We should not depend on other countries in the pandemic because of the limited production, export restriction, and chain supply obstacles,” he said.

In the other spot, General Director of Food Plantation, Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi is optimist that in 2020, though Covid-19 still hits, his side could increase the food production namely rice. This could be realized if every region is committed to accelerate the planting.

“The pandemic across the countries is the challenge to show that the country is here for the people,” he said.

To the planting acceleration, he hoped that the counselors should report areas to plant, to harvest of corn and paddy in every single week in their operational in phases just like in the komando strategis pertanian (Kostratani).

"Should also tell it online to the district, province, and central government well,” he said. (A2)