Jokowi Reminds Farmers Of target For Rice Self Sufficiency

Subang, W Java, Dec 26 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded Indonesian farmers on Friday of the target in three years to achieve rice self sufficiency . The government has made available tractors, fertilizers and seeds hoping that in three years rice self sufficiency could be achieved, Jokowi told farmers in this West Java town on Friday. "I will keep record and in three years I will hope for the result that is self sufficiency," he said. There is consequence of receiving facilities from the government, he added, in front of a number of recipients of Adhikarya Pangan Nusantara, a token of appreciation for good contribution to food security . The president said he had received reports of 52 percent of irrigation channels being damaged in the country. "Repairs have to be made soon," he said, adding 49 dams would be built during his five year term in office until 2019. He also said there is lack of agricultural extension saying agriculturalists should be active providing agricultural mass guidance for the farmers. "Otherwise we would remain as we are now, unable to compete against other countries," he said. He repeated what he said earlier that he was sad to hear offer for rice supply from Vietnam. "It is regrettable that Indonesia which has ample fertile farm lands has to rely on import for staple food including rice," he said. The government provided 1,099 units of tractor and symbolically the president handed over 225 units in Subang. The president who is chairman of Food Security Council, presented the tokens of appreciation to eight governors succeeding in creating and maintaining food security. The annual event, usually held at the state palace, took place at the rice field embankment in Subang. The eight provincial governors are West Java`s Ahmad Heryawan, West Nusa Tenggara`s M. Zainul Majdi, West Sumatra`s Irwan Prayitno, North Sulawesi`s Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, West Sulawesi`s Anwar Adnan Saleh, West Kalimantan`sCornelis MH, East Java`s Soekarwo and Jambi`s Hasan Basri Agus. Similar tokens of appreciation were also given to 10 regent/city mayors and 10 village chiefs from all over Indonesia.