Palembang, The Indonesia Post – Under the blazing sun, South Sumatra Governor H. Herman Deru enthusiastically rode his motorcycle to Sungai Dua Village, Rambutan District (Friday, March 27, 2026). He did so to attend the opening of a new rice field, part of a government program to support the accelerated planting movement at the rice field development site.
“The achievement of third place in food production nationally is certainly inseparable from the contribution of the regencies/cities in South Sumatra, especially Banyuasin Regency, which has succeeded in becoming the highest regency in increasing food production,” said HD starting his remarks.
Furthermore, HD asked officials from the provincial and regional levels as well as agricultural extension workers to continue to build the enthusiasm of farmers so that the newly constructed rice fields can be planted directly with rice seedlings.
HD also hopes that the central government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, can assist the regions regarding the status of land owned in South Sumatra so that the administrative process can be completed quickly so as not to hinder farmers from planting.
Meanwhile, the Expert Staff to the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Dr. IR. Ali Jamil, MP, Ph.D., explained that today’s rice planting activity is part of the 2025 agenda that has not yet been completed. Therefore, there is still time to complete it this year, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.
Therefore, he really hopes that the local government, especially Banyuasin Regency, which has currently opened new land, will immediately carry out the planting process on the prepared land.
“South Sumatra is one of the regions that the Minister of Agriculture is highly committed to supporting in this rice field development program, so that it can increase food production to meet national needs and achieve food self-sufficiency in Indonesia,” he concluded.
Also present were the Special Staff for Agricultural Policy of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sam Herodian, the Commander of the Gapo/044 Military District, Brigadier General Khabib Mahfud, S.IP., MM, and the Regent of Banyuasin, Dr. H. Askolani, SH.,. (mhn/ril)
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