Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka made a presentation about the plan to open an area of 250,000 for farming – Jubi
Jakarta, Jubi – Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka made a presentation about the plan to open an area of 250,000 for farming.
Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman and the Director General of Minister of Agriculture, the Head of Merauke Agriculture and Horticulture Office Bambang Dwiatmoko and other national and provincial government’s officials attended the presentation at the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta.
Mbaraka said the local community in particular the customary landowners are ready to provide their unproductive land to be used as farming areas, especially to grow paddy and other commodities.
“I have talked with the customary landowners, as well as the Customary Law Community Institute (LMA). Later we will sit together for further discussion and detail mapping to open the pointed area. But, the point is the local community is totally ready,” he said to Jubi on Monday (18/5/2015).
Furthermore, he said the local government had agreement with local community on sharing benefit of 30 percent and 70 percent of paddy harvesting. It is obviously very encouraging. Moreover the area used by both government or private sector would not be forever but for certain period only.
“It is an excellent opportunity for us. Therefore we shouldn’t wait for long. However, all stakeholders must work hard succeeding this program. Moreover, the President Joko Widodo strongly committed about this when launching the premier paddy harvesting at Wapeko Village, Kurik Sub-district few times ago,” he said.
Meanwhile the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman on that occasion said he fully supported the regent. “Frankly, I feel very proud to heard the Merauke Regent arrived in Jakarta and made a presentation about the allocated farming area. Thus, the Central Government will not stay and will provide support either in the term of fund or equipment or both to materialize this plan,” he said. (Frans L Kobun/rom)
