Farmers To Develop Corn-Based Food Products: Regent

Painan, (Antara Sumbar) - The Regent of South Pesisir District, West Sumatra, Hendrajoni encourages farmers to develop corn-based food products to boost their economies.

This was expressed during a simultaneous harvest of corn on a stretch of Tunas Muda Farmer Group, Nagari Pelangai Kaciak, Ranah Pesisir Sub-district, Wednesday (Oct 11).

Corn production in South Pesisir in 2016 reached 158,160 tons and it was the second largest in West Sumatra after West Pasaman District.

"The development of food products made from corn is very open," he said.

Realizing this, besides asking for an active role, the farmers also instructed by officials of Food Crops, Horticulture and Plantation Agency to build partnerships with research centers and farming processing centers.

It also encourages them to send farmers to apprenticeship to certain areas that have successfully developed food products made from corn.

"Corn can not only be used as human handicraft product but also can fulfill the livestock handling, currently only skilled manpower to manage it," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Tunas Muda Farmer Group, Jamalis said that total farmer group which is cultivated reaches 30 hectares and per harvest time, it produces 228 tons of dry maize or 7.6 tons per hectare.

He mentioned that local farmers started to grow corn since 2010 and continue until now.

"Dried corn is sold Rp3,000 to the collecting merchants even if the harvest highway prices could fall to Rp2,200," he said.

He hopes local district government seriously empower farmers in developing products made from corn because after processing corn prices, it will be much more expensive. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika