Gov’t to Develop Food Estate Area in North Sumatra Province

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, visits the new food estate area in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra Province, Tuesday (27/10). (Photo by: BPMI-Setpres)

The Government has announced it will develop an area of 30,000 hectares to become a new food estate.

According to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the food estate will be located in North Sumatra Province, including in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Tapanuli Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency, and Pakpak Bharat Regency.

“Out of 60,000 hectares of land, around 30,000 hectares will be prepared for the development of food estates in the province,” the President said after inspecting the location of food estate in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra Province, Tuesday (27/10).

The food estate, the President added, will be planted with food commodities such as potatoes, onions, and garlic.

“Insya Allah, we have begun the planting and will see the results in 2 or 2.5 months,” he said.

On that occasion, the President also noted that Indonesia has two food estate areas that will be designated as national food barns, including the one in North Sumatra Province and the other one in Central Kalimantan Province.

The national food barn in Central Kalimantan Province will be planted with rice and cassava, he added.

“I have visited Central Kalimantan twice. There will be a special food estate only for rice and cassava,” he said.

The President went on to say that the food estates in the two provinces will be used as an example of food estate development in other provinces.

“The two food estates will be an example for other provinces to create food estates, including the business model and business process implemented in the development. All of these things have been calculated,” he added. (FID / UN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas