Agam Develops 55 Hectares of Mina Paddy

Lubukbasung, (Antara Sumbar) - The government of Agam District, West Sumatra, develops mina paddy (combined paddy-and-fish farming) in 55 hectares area in order to increase farmers income in the area.

"The development of mina paddy is spreading in Tanjungraya, Lubukbasung, Ampeknagari, Tanjungmutiara, Palembayan, Tilatangkamang and Kamangmagek sub-districts," Head of Local Fisheries and Food Security Office Ermanto stated in Lubukbasung on Tuesday (Oct 3).

He said the development of mina paddy in the area resulted in 2.5 tons of fish per hectare for three to four months, and rice production of about 3.5 tons per hectare.

Related to the development, the income of farmers is not much different from the cultivation of aquatic fish that reaches five tons per hectare.

This corresponds to the main purpose of fish farming with paddy to increase farmers' income. Along with the paddy harvest, fish cultivation gives a pretty good result.

In 2017, he explained, DPKP of Agam developed mina paddy for four packages with an area of eight thousand square in Tanjungraya and Ampeknagari Sub-districts.

One package of the development actually spends Rp20 million. The funds are used to repair the land, buy feed, tilapia seeds and other needs.

"The fund comes from a special allocation in 2017 and the development of mina paddy is good enough, this is one way of shifting fish cultivation from Maninjau Lake to the mainland," he explained.

Agam Parliament member, Irfan Imran supported the development of mina paddy to improve the welfare of farmers in the area.

But it hoped the relevant offices always provide assistance to farmers so that the program runs well so that the goal will be achieved. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika