Community To Make Agricultural Productive Lands: Padang Mayor

id Community To Make Agricultural Productive Lands: Padang Mayor

Community To Make Agricultural Productive Lands: Padang Mayor

Illustration. Rice Field. (Antara)

Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - The Mayor of Padang Municipality, West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah invites the community to make vacant land around his residence to be productive agricultural products.

"Although narrow at the edge or back of the house, people can use it to grow chili or other agricultural plants," he said in response to the government's efforts to strengthen food security in Padang area on Friday.

This invitation is important considering the current fulfillment of food in the city of Padang is only 30 percent coming from local, while 70 percent are imported from outside.

One reason is related to the use of land which is not optimal in the city for agriculture.

Indeed, in some locations such as Pauh, Kuranji, and Koto Tangah still lay rice fields, but that is not sufficient for supply fulfillment.

For that, community participation by starting agriculture farming will help the fulfillment of food.

As an example of youth in Tabing in planting chili is considered to have helped to fulfill the supply of chili in Padang although it is not maximal yet.

Of course with the population in Padang at the number of almost one million people, if each house has food crops, it will help the government in food security.

"The government has socialized several programs for food security such as chili planting in residence and counseling to farmers," he said.

It is expected to be implemented maximally because the interest of food security will be felt together.

Head of Padang Food Office, Zalbadri added to realize the utilization of vacant land, it immediately directed to 104 existing urban village.

Later there will be action and socialization in raising the citizen's participation.

It is urgent in considering there are still some villages that still categorized as food insecurity areas such as in South Padang and Bungus Sub-districts, he said. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika