PADANG SUCCESSFULLY INCREASES RICE PRODUCTION 10.01 PERCENT

Padang, 24 Dzul’qadah 1435/19 September 2014 (MINA) – The government of Padang successfully managed to increase rice production by 10.01 percent in 2013 if compared by 2012,  so the mayor received the Food Security award from West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno.

The Deputy Mayor of Padang, Emzalmi received the award at National Food Day in  Padang, Thursday. “Padang succeed to increase rice production in 2013 to 10.01 percent from 2012,” said the Deputy Mayor.

He thanked to the Department of Agriculture as well other parties which has encouraged farming community. Antara News reported as qoeted by Mi’raj islamic News Agency (MINA).

The chairman of Agriculture, Livestock, Foresty and Agriculture Heryanto Rustam said, the rice production in 2012 amounted to 78.699 tons and increased to 86.580 tons in 2013.

According Emzalmi, there are some efforts made by the city government to increase rice production, the optimization of the land area of ​​260 hectares, system of rice intesification (SRI) covering an area of ​​300 hectares, and school activities that covering an area of ​​2,000 hectares  and 80 farmer groups.

The government provided support by giving farm tools such as hand tractors 47 units, 5 units of water pumps, power treser 11 units, as well as the cultivator 2 units.
“The efforts will continue to be increased while appealing for aid from the province,” he said.

The chairman of Padang Food Security, Tarmizi Ismail said the efforts to strengthen food in Padang also done by increasing plant diversity.

“We also encourage women farmers to plant more vegetables and a variety of creations to the diversity besides rice ,” he said. (T/P007/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)