THE MINISTRY of Agriculture (Kementan) supports the government’s decision to stop importing corn from abroad before the main harvest in April 2024. The Ministry of Agriculture asked Perum Bulog to optimize national corn production absorption. The corn harvest in Indonesia is estimated to be sufficient for national needs.
“We ask Bulog to carry out maximum absorption. At least 500 thousand tons of corn from farmers can be absorbed quickly,” said the Director General of Food Crops at the Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi, in an official statement, Sunday (17/3). Suwandi explained that based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), an abundant corn harvest would occur in March-April 2024 with an estimated 4 million tons.
In detail, the corn harvest in March is estimated to reach 2.29 million tons on 405 thousand hectares (ha) of land. Meanwhile in April, the corn harvest is estimated to reach 1.76 million tons on a land area of 318 thousand ha. “In March-April, it is estimated that our farmers will harvest 4 million tons of corn, meanwhile, we hold the BPS data,” said Suwandi.
Based on data released by BPS, he is optimistic that the national corn harvest can meet people’s needs. Suwandi then emphasized that the corn harvest time is the right time for Bulog and entrepreneurs to help farmers absorb the harvest at a reasonable price.
The reason is, amidst the potential for an abundant corn harvest, quite a few corn farmers in Indonesia are complaining regarding falling prices. In fact, the price of corn for farmers can reach IDR 2,500 to IDR 4,000 per kilogram.
Suwandi said that the harvest would benefit Indonesian farmers if Perum Bulog and animal feed entrepreneurs who are members of the Association of Animal Food Companies (GPMT) gave a fair price for this year’s corn harvest. “The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that Perum Bulog and GPMT absorb the harvest at a reasonable price for farmers. We must prioritize national farmers first,” he continued.
Referring to BPS data, the largest corn harvest area in March 2024 is spread across 10 districts, namely Tuban 42,811 ha, Bone 39,131 ha, East Lampung 35,905 ha, South Lampung 33,940 ha, Bima 29,178 ha, Dompu 28,895 ha, Sampang 28,152 ha, Pamekasan 22,086 ha, Lampung Central 19,122 ha, and Sumbawa 18,363 ha. Furthermore, the largest potential corn harvest area in April 2024 is spread across 10 districts, namely Sumbawa 39,632 ha, Bima 29,957 ha, Gunung Kidul 26,899 ha, Dompu 17,060 ha, Central Lampung 15,202 ha, Wonogiri 15,200 ha, Boalemo 12,280 ha, East Lampung 12,030 ha, Jeneponto 11,997 ha, and Malang 9,719 ha. (Z-2)
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