VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Agriculture Minister Sayhrul Yasin Limpo is targeting domestic rice production to reach 55.42 million tons in 2024, an increase as compared to the target of 54.5 million tons set for 2023.

“Based on the four (work) programs (of the Agriculture Ministry), the production targets for several main commodities in 2024 are 55.42 million tons for rice and 23.34 million tons for corn,” he stated here on Wednesday.

He made the statement at a working meeting with Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR).

The targets for other commodities are three million tons for chili, 1.74 million tons for shallots, 340 thousand tons for soybeans, and 45.91 thousand tons for garlic.

The other production targets are 818 thousand tons for coffee, 2.9 million tons for coconut, 694 thousand tons for cocoa, 39.45 million tons for sugarcane, 405.44 thousand tons for beef, and four million tons for chicken meat.

Limpo explained that his ministry received an increase of Rp76.8 billion (around US$4.99 million) in the budget ceiling due to an eight-percent rise in the state civil apparatus’ (ASNs') salaries. Thus, the ministry’s budget ceiling for 2024 is set at Rp14.73 trillion (US$958.42 million).

He further noted that from that budget, the budgets for four programs are allocated.

The four programs are the quality food availability, access, and consumption program, with a budget ceiling of Rp8.19 trillion (US$532.82 million); industrial added value and competitiveness program, Rp1.42 trillion (US$92.38 million); vocational training and education program, Rp641 billion (US$41.68 million); and management support, Rp4.47 trillion (US$290.8 million).

The minister stated that for the implementation of Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2021 on the acceleration of economic development in three state border areas, the Agriculture Ministry had allotted Rp32.9 billion (US$2.08 million) for carrying out numerous efforts.

For Aruk, Sambas District, West Kalimantan, Rp12.12 billion (US$788.15 thousand) is allocated that is used to develop crop-livestock business integration, pepper and coconut production center areas, and horticultural areas, among others.

Meanwhile, for Motaain, Belu District, East Nusa Tenggara, Rp10.48 billion (US$681.4 thousand) is allocated to develop crop-livestock business integration, horticultural areas, and coconut areas.

As for Skouw, Jayapura City, Papua, Rp10.3 billion (US$669.7 thousand) is allocated that will be used for the development of crop-livestock business integration, rice and sago downstreaming, and the development of horticultural areas. (Antaranews)