Agricom.id, JAKARTA – Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) is serious to boost the agriculture productivity. In the event, Mentan Sapa Penyuluh dan Petani (MSPP) held by Badan Penyuuhan dan Pengembangan SDM Pertanian (BPPSDMP) virtually, Tuesday (8/9), SYL targeted that the productivity, at least, should be 7 tons/hectare (ha).

MSPP had the theme ‘Percepatan Pencapaian Target Pembangunan Pertanian di Masa Pandemi Covid-19’, by presenting Minister SYL.

“If there is no issue about fertilizers, areas, and everything run well, it means that thee production should be 7 tons per hectare. But if the regions produce less than 7 tons, it means that the region does not want to learn. The production should be 7 tons per hectares,” he said, as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

He also said that if it is needed, there should be evaluation in the regions where the subsidized fertilizers have been allocated but could not boost the production.

“If the regions produce less than 6 tons, if it is necessary, they would not get the fertilizer allocation anymore. Years ago, without fertilizer, the regions produced 5 tons. If the regions want to get allocation, there should be consequence, such as, the production should be 7 tons per hectare,” he emphasized.

He did hope that Covid-19 could make the agriculture better. He urged that every region has demonstration plot to be developed. There should be learning process to do as part of agriculture development.

“Maintain the agriculture in the regions so that the food is enough. If any side complains, please report. If there is no report, we take it as ‘in good condition’. I want the truth. The people should not have issue about food for we are in difficult situation,” he said.

He also said that every country is in crisis. Everything could face the issue but not the food.

“If there is a concern, please, report it immediately. This is part of strengthening the food barn, both in the province, and the district. The important thing is that to strengthen the household food barn in the villages. In 2020 the people should get rice and it is available in each village,” he said.

SYL also mentioned that to develop the agriculture, it is not on paper but in the field. The agriculture is in the field. Every field is different.

“Every district is different. Local problem must be responed by local response. The local issue is solved by the local approach. We discuss about togetherness. Let us solve the issues together,” he said.

Head of BPPSDMP, Ministry of Agriculture, Dedi Nursyamsi said the same.

“It starts with the human resources development in agriculture. Who are they? The farmers, the millennial farmers, and the groups,” he said.

He thought that it needs to increase the skill, ability, capability, knowledge, and competence of the farmers to develop the agriculture.

“It could be done in komando strategis pembangunan pertanian (Kostratani) through the demonstration plot or field school. Kostratani could be the place for the farmers to learn and have consultation to increase the production. The counselors should develop the farmers in the field,” he said. (A2)