W Sumatra Strives to Increase ​​Gogo Rice Land

Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - West Sumatra Provincial Government is seeking to increase the area of upland rice farming by utilizing abandoned land in the area by 2018.

"Gogo rice planting is one of the efforts to increase rice production by utilizing dry and unproductive land," Head of Food Crops, Horticulture and Plantation of West Sumatra, Candra stated in Padang, Monday.

He explained that initially planned the planting of 8,620 hectares of paddy fields in 15 regencies and cities, but after meeting with Director General of Food Crops Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia, it is allowing the addition of land area up to 200 thousand hectares.

"This is because there are still many abandoned land that can be utilized," he added.

Gogo rice planting does not require much water so it is suitable to be planted on dry land. It also can be resistant to plant diseases and pests planthopper.

"The cultivation of upland rice is aided through National Budget (APBN) and it is one of the efforts in increasing rice production through extensification," he said.

For that, it provides assistance through agricultural extension, channeling assistance seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools for the utilization of abandoned land which can be maximized. (cha)

Translator: Vicha Faradika