Agricom.id, TOUNA – Regent of Tojo Una-Una (Touna), Mohammad Lahay released the corn exports in Mantangisi Port to Philippine and concentrated coconut water to Singapore through Pantaloan Port, Friday (11/9/2020). The corn exports reached 6.100 tons for about Rp 22 billion and 1 concentrated coconut water 40 Hc Reefer for about 42.294 US Dollar or Rp 627,7 million.

“The successful exports were the extraordinary synergy of many sides to develop the economic potential in District of Touna, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic. This would have something to do with the regional economy, and Central Sulawesi Province in general,” he said, as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

The corn exports from Touna to Philippine reached 16,1 thousand tons. Lahay did hope that the export could be useful for the economy in Indonesia too, namely to increase the farmers’ economy. This would expand the product markets of Indonesia, multiply the exchange, add the employment, and minimize the imports.

“By the support of the central government through ministry of agriculture, we would prioritize to increase the farmers’ economy and the poverty would be no more and there would be employment. The good harvest, as the cooperation between the regional and central government, would encourage the corn export to make the price remain stable,” he said.

He also mentioned that through Gratieks (gerakan tiga kali ekspor) that Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo runs and as the breakthrough program of ministry of agriculture to support the economy, the agricultural exports and production should be increasing within good quality. The production should increase up to seven percent per year.

"Gratieks proposed by Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo encouraged the exporters and businessmen to triple the exports,” he said.

He also mentioned that based on the Agriculture Agency, District of Touna, the food plantations namely the corn reached 28.000 hectares (ha) within the potential to develop reaching 42.682 ha and the whole potential in the marginal (areas) reaching 313.455 ha.

"By the helps of ministry of agriculture, District of Touna could increase the areas sustainably to plant corn. The corn export and production would be increasing through Mantangisi Port,” he mentioned.

In the other place, General Director of Food Plantation, Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi told that in implementing the policy of Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo to increase the production and exports, his side would fully support the regional government to optimize the agricultural potential in export-base. Ministry of agriculture has pengembangan kawasan tanaman pangan korporasi (Propaktani) program and the corn should be developed in corporate – base.

“The corporate region does not mean in one overlay but it could make clusters. The clusters should be joined as one big region within about 5.000 to 10 thousand hectares,” he mentioned.

He also told that the agricultural corporate could be confirmed by the partnership program with many sides, such as, banks go get kredit usaha rakyat (KUR), insurance, the machines (mechanic) to cultivate the area, the seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and Kostraling (Komando Strategi Penggilingan). There would be processing industries, traders, exporters, and others in the bond of profitable business.

“Propaktani is integrated part of on farm, the downstream , and marketing both in the infrastructure, the machine, the cultivation (starting from the planting, harvest, and post-harvest), and marketing. The agricultural corporate should be developed in District of Touna,” Suwandi said. (A2)