Ministry of Food Coordination Hopes Kolaka Becomes Food Granary in South-East Sulawesi

Kendari — Indonesia’s Ministry of Food Coordination (Kemenko Pangan) aims for Kolaka Regency in South-East Sulawesi Province to become a food granary in support of the national rice self-sufficiency programme.

During a visit to Kolaka on Monday, Widiastuti, Deputy for Food and Agricultural Business Coordination at the Ministry of Food Coordination, stated that the region possesses highly potential and fertile agricultural characteristics suitable for paddy rice development.

She explained that dry grain productivity (GKP) in Kolaka currently averages 4.5 tonnes per hectare, a figure considered sufficiently good and playing a strategic role in supporting food security at both provincial and national levels.

“Since it was mentioned that one hectare can produce approximately 4.46 tonnes, so around 4.5 tonnes, that is quite good,” she said.

Meanwhile, Anas Yusuf, Head of the Food Crops and Horticulture Service in Kolaka, reported that the current rice paddy area in Kolaka Regency extends to over 10,000 hectares spread across 12 subdistricts.

“Our farmers’ average productivity ranges from 4.5 to 5 tonnes of GKP per hectare with a harvest frequency of twice yearly,” Anas said.

The agricultural land distribution encompasses Watubangga, Baula, Kolaka, Latambaga, Polinggona, Pomalaa, Samaturu, Tanggetada, Toari, Wolo, Wundulako, and Iwoimendaa subdistricts.

Anas reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to optimising existing land to increase food production. One effort being undertaken is through the regency government’s flagship programme to ease farmers’ operational burden.

“There is the Kolaka Regent’s Kartu Tani Beramal (Charitable Farmer Card) programme. Through this initiative, farmers receive free fertiliser assistance to ensure optimal production,” he said.