Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - Food cooperation between West Sumatra and Batam, Riau Islands for the early stages is focused on rice commodity, Head of Economic Bureau of West Sumatra Provincial Secretariat, Heri Nofiardi remarked.
"Data of 2017, West Sumatra rice production reaches 2.7 million tons, while the demand for rice in West Sumatra is only 628 thousand tons," he said in Padang on Thursday.
He said it was related to the follow-up cooperation between the field of food and tourism between West Sumatra and Riau Islands according to a memorandum of understanding that has been signed in November 2017.
In addition to the surplus, West Sumatra rice commodity has also been certified by relevant agencies until the standard is clear and will not harm both parties.
Although it has established a commodity for cooperation, the framework of cooperation must be discussed further, especially related to the implementation and agreed price.
The appointment of the implementing party is important because the cooperation will be business, while government should not do it.
The biggest thing is utilizing Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD), such as PT Grafika Jaya Sumbar.
The process, he said, rice farmers collected by a combination of farmer groups, then certified by West Sumatra Food Service, and managed by PT Grafika to be supplied to Batam.
In Batam, it will also be prepared by a third party as a manager of West Sumatra rice commodity.
He hopes the cooperation will soon be realized to help improve the welfare of farmers in West Sumatra. (cha)
W Sumatra, Batam Coopertaion Focused on Rice Commodity
Rice.
