President Jokowi: Improve Productivity in Agriculture and Anticipate Dry Season

President Jokowi visits Layoa village, Bantaeng regency, South Sulawesi province, Friday (07/05). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, paid a working visit to Layoa village, Bantaeng regency, South Sulawesi province, on Friday (07/05), to inspect the distribution of water pumps for irrigation and agriculture. The distribution of water pumps program is expected to improve agricultural productivity in the area.

“The distribution of water pumps will increase productivity. The local farmer has just said that they can only harvest once because the water is insufficient, whereas the land is fertile. So, with the water pumps, he can plant for the second time. We hope that it is possible to plant for the third time,” President Jokowi said to the media after the inspection.

President also explained that the program is also an effort made by the Government to anticipate long dry season in the future. “At least, from one time planting, we can improve it to second or third time. This will boost our rice productivity in national scale,” the President mentioned.

The program is also in line with the Government’s effort to strengthen national food sustainability amid global climate change challenges. “That is what we aim for, and also, it is to anticipate long dry season that occurs in many countries,” President further explained.

On food self-sufficiency, President Jokowi said that it is a long process which is affected by uncertain climate factor. He also added that not only in Indonesia, the climate factor also affects food productivity in all countries.

The Government through Ministry of Agriculture is carrying out water pumps distribution program throughout Indonesia. For Bantaeng regency, the Government has distributed 80 units of water pumps of 150 units of water pumps needed. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AW/LW)