HSU Becomes South Kalimantan's Mainstay During Dry Season, Rice Production Reaches 84 Thousand Tonnes

The Provincial Government of South Kalimantan has expressed its appreciation to Hulu Sungai Utara (HSU) Regency, which has proven capable of maintaining productivity in the agricultural sector even as some regions begin to enter the dry season. This success is considered an important asset in safeguarding regional food security while supporting the national food self-sufficiency target. Syamsir Rahman, Head of the Food Crops and Food Security Service (DPKP) of the South Kalimantan Provincial Government, stated that HSU has demonstrated the ability to adapt to weather changes through well-planned agricultural management. “We appreciate the efforts of the HSU Regency Government and farmers who remain persistent in maintaining agricultural productivity even though the weather is unfavourable for other areas,” Syamsir said in Amuntai on Wednesday. According to him, HSU’s ability to maintain the planting season amidst limited rainfall reflects the readiness of the local government and farmers to manage the agricultural sector sustainably. He assessed that this success is inseparable from the wetland characteristics of HSU. Most of the regency’s area consists of lebak swamp zones that can still store water reserves, which can be utilised to sustain agricultural activity when other areas begin to experience drought. “This condition is a special blessing for HSU. We hope that farmers remain enthusiastic about maintaining productivity so that food self-sufficiency can continue to be realised sustainably,” he said. Syamsir revealed that HSU is one of the main buffer areas for rice production in South Kalimantan. Throughout 2025, the regency was able to produce around 84,000 tonnes of rice. “We should be proud that HSU is an extraordinary supplier of rice production, namely 84,000 tonnes in 2025,” he said. This contribution has helped make South Kalimantan the province with the largest rice production in the Kalimantan region. The province’s total rice production reached approximately 1.2 million tonnes, playing an important role in maintaining the food supply in the area.