Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - West Sumatra Provincial Government will plant 8,620 hectares of gogo rice in 15 districts and cities by 2018 by utilizing unproductive land.
"Gogo rice planting is one of the efforts to increase rice production by using dry and unproductive land," Head of Food Crops, Horticulture and Plantation of West Sumatra, Candra stated in Padang on Thursday.
He explained that upland rice cultivation does not require as much water as paddy rice, so it is suitable to be planted on dry land. It also can be resistant to plant diseases and pests planthopper.
The cultivation is aided by National Budget (APBN) and it is one of the efforts in increasing rice production through extensification.
Candra specifies areas for cultivation of gogo rice by 2018 include Pasaman District 1,545 hectares, West Pasaman 1,700 hectares, Lima Puluh Kota 626 hectares, Agam 320 hectares, and Tanah Datar 140 hectares.
Then, Padang Pariaman District 310 hectares, South Solok 100 hectares, Sijunjung 200 hectares, Dharmasraya 1,000 hectares, and South Pesisir 1,416 hectares.
Furthermore, Mentawai Islands District 608 hectares, Padang 200 hectares, Solok 10 hectares, Sawahlunto 430 hectares and Pariaman 15 hectares.
In addition, West Sumatra will also develop 500 hectares of new fields in three districts in 2018.
The three areas are West Pasaman District of 300 hectares, South Solok 100 hectares and Lima Puluh Kota 100 hectares. (cha)
Translator: Vicha Faradika
W Sumatra To Plant 8,620 Hectares of Gogo Rice
Illustration. (Antara)
