IO – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced that the national rice stock is safe at least until the end of 2021, and the Government has imported no rice this year. He conveyed this during a work visit to Buluagung Village, Trenggalek, East Java, Tuesday (11/30/2021). On that occasion, the President joined the local farmers in planting rice paddy.
President Jokowi said the country could avoid rice imports in 2021 because of the increasing productivity of the farmers. Further, the construction of several dams contributed to farmers’ productivity. “So, total rice production throughout the country is climbing,” he said.
Jokowi also encouraged farmers to make optimal use of the newly-inaugurated Tugu Dam, as it is now completed and ready for operation. “The farmers said that they could currently harvest rice twice and secondary crops once. Because of Tugu Dam, the water now can reach their rice fields, so they can harvest rice three times and secondary crops once,” said the President.
Therefore, the land productivity of rice fields in the Trenggalek district can increase drastically. “Overall, in East Java province, production has reached 5.7 million tons of rice, to meet the needs in East Java and also to supply other provinces,” said Jokowi.
The President also instructed the Agriculture Minister to solve problems faced by farmers immediately. “There were complaints from farmers, mainly related to fertilizers and equipment,” said Jokowi.