Aceh Opens 4,000 Hectares Of Hybrid Corn Fields

Banda Aceh, Oct 30 (Antara) - The regional administration of Aceh is opening 4,000 hectares of hybrid corn fields in 13 regencies in the province to increase its corn production and improve the welfare of the farmers. Head of the provincial Agriculture Service Razali Adami said here on Wednesday the project is part of the country`s national program to strengthen food self sufficiency and security. Razali said the new corn field project will utilize idle lands in the 13 provinces. The 13 regencies include Aceh Besar, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Aceh Utara, Aceh Timur, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, Aceh Barat Daya, Aceh Selatan, Gayo Lues and Aceh Tenggara. He said Aceh has set target to have 45,000 hectares of food crop plantations in 2013 including the new hybrid corn fields. The program to accelerate and increase food production (P6K) would be a driver for the agricultural economy in Aceh in the future, he said. "The project will also provide new jobs for rural people," he said.