Agam Rice Production Increased 13.9 Percent

Lubukbasung, (Antaranews Sumbar) - Rice production in Agam District, West Sumatra increased 41,143 tons or about 13.9 percent from 367,535 tons in 2016 to 418,678 tons in 2017.

Agus Arief Restu, Secretary of Agam Agriculture, said in addition to rice production, the harvested area also increased from 66,151 hectares in 2016 to 74,764 hectares in 2017. While the planting area increased from 68,518 in 2016 to 76.342,7 hectares.

This year, Agam Agriculture Agency aims to produce 456,047 tons of rice, 74,517 hectares of harvest and 77,555 hectares of planted area.

To achieve the target, Agam Agriculture Agency provides seedlings assistance, build dam trenches, repair irrigation, build road farming and other businesses.

In 2018, Agam Agriculture Agency built a trench dam with 28 packages of workmanship, three packages of irrigation improvements, construction of farm roads in seven packages and others.

The job is currently being reviewed to the location and in March it will begin.

"The program every year is done with the aim to help farmers in getting water to cultivate rice fields, facilitate bringing agricultural and other products," he pointed out.

Agam has 16 sub-districts which are agriculture center, Tanjungmutiara with 3,624 hectares of harvest area, Lubukbasung 14,509 hectares, 5,504 hectares in Ampeknagari, Tanjungraya 7,052 hectares, Matur 4,005 hectares, Ampekkoto 3,101 hectares.

Then, Malalak 2,619 hectares, Banuhampu 2,771 hectares, Sungaipua 1,977 hectares, Ampekangkek 2,893 hectares, Canduang 3,618 hectares, Baso 4,512 hectares and Tilatangkamang 5,591 hectares.

While, Kamangmagek 4,925 hectares, Palembayan 7,807 hectares and Palupuh 4,046 hectares.

The rice produced by farmers in Agam is marketed to traditional markets of Agam, regencies and cities in West Sumatra and Riau, he added. (cha)

Translator: Vicha Faradika