Kerinci Regent ready to oversee garlic development under national programme
Kerinci Regent Monadi has confirmed his readiness to oversee the garlic planting development programme initiated by the Jambi Regional Police to support the needs of communities across Jambi Province.
“Kerinci has enormous agricultural potential. We will continue to encourage farmers to be more productive, while strengthening synergy with the central and provincial governments in supporting the national food self-sufficiency programme,” said Monadi at the development site on Wednesday.
Monadi said the garlic planting on a 110-hectare expanse is centred in Tanjung Bungo Village, Kayu Aro District.
The activity is part of a simultaneous garlic planting exercise across 17 provinces led by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and attended by Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives Siti Hediati Hariyadi, and Deputy National Police Chief Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo.
The activity forms part of efforts to strengthen national food security while encouraging increased garlic production through the optimisation of agricultural land and the empowerment of farmer groups.
He added that the activity is an important momentum for Kerinci Regency to continue developing the agricultural sector, particularly garlic, which has significant potential in the highland areas of Kerinci.
According to him, support from the government together with the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, farmer groups and all stakeholders is essential so that garlic development can be carried out sustainably, from increasing planting areas and productivity to marketing agricultural products.
With its land potential and supportive climate or agro-climatic conditions, Kerinci Regency is expected to become one of the garlic development centres in Jambi Province and make a real contribution to achieving national garlic self-sufficiency.
Based on data from the Jambi Provincial Statistics Agency, the average annual production of the commodity reaches 218,558 tonnes.
Kerinci is the largest onion-producing region, with this year’s harvest reaching 213,324 tonnes, followed by Sungai Penuh City with 3,245 tonnes, Merangin with 1,802 tonnes, Jambi City with 168 tonnes and Tebo Regency with 19.8 tonnes.
“This simultaneous planting activity also affirms the shared commitment between the government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police and the community in strengthening food security and improving the welfare of farmers in the regions,” he concluded.
The simultaneous garlic planting activity was led directly by Jambi Regional Police Chief Inspector General Krisno H. Siregar and was also attended by Jambi Governor Al Haris, Commander of the 042/Garuda Putih Military Resort Command Brigadier General Nyamin, Kerinci Regent Monadi, and Sungai Penuh Mayor Alfin.
The garlic development land belongs to the Agri Mulyo farmer group in Tanjung Bunga Village, Kayu Aro District, using Lumbu Hijau garlic seedlings.
The series of activities also included social assistance for farmer groups and free health services. The health services included checks of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, oxygen saturation, as well as simple checks for cholesterol, uric acid and blood sugar.