Government Asserts Abundant Corn Harvest This Year, Ceases Imports
Published on: March 18, 2024.
Filed under:
The Ministry of Agriculture Urges Bulog to Purchase Local Corn Harvest
The Ministry of Agriculture has called on the national food distribution company, Bulog, to increase its purchases from local farmers, particularly in regard to corn. Director General of Food Crops, Suwandi, stated that this year’s corn harvest is expected to be abundant, potentially eliminating the need for corn imports.
“We can quickly absorb at least 500,000 tons of corn from local farmers,” Suwandi said in a statement released on March 17, 2024.
Suwandi predicts that the domestic corn harvest will be sufficient to meet national demand. He believes that this harvest period presents an opportunity for Bulog and entrepreneurs to reduce farmers’ surplus production.
He emphasized the importance of Bulog purchasing the harvest at a fair price and emphasized that farmers’ corn prices could drop to Rp 2,500 to Rp 4,000 per kilogram. Suwandi believes that Indonesian farmers would greatly benefit from fair purchases made by Bulog and members of the Association of Animal Feed Companies (GPMT).
“Our priority should be supporting national farmers,” Suwandi asserted.
According to Suwandi, corn prices are currently lower due to the abundant harvest. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) estimates that from January to April, national corn production will reach 5.3 million tons. The peak of the harvest is expected to occur in March, with an estimated production of 2.29 million tons on 405 thousand hectares of land.
In April, the corn harvest is projected to reach 1.76 million tons on 318 thousand hectares of land. Suwandi stated that corn production from March to April could amount to a total of 4 million tons. Thus, he remains optimistic that the corn harvest during this period will meet national demand.
Based on BPS data, the largest corn harvest in March 2024 is expected in 10 districts: Tuban with 42,811 hectares, Bone with 39,131 hectares, East Lampung with 35,905 hectares, South Lampung with 33,940 hectares, Bima with 29,178 hectares, Dompu with 28,895 hectares, Sampang with 28,152 hectares, Pamekasan with 22,086 hectares, Central Lampung with 19,122 hectares, and Sumbawa with 18,363 hectares.
Meanwhile, the largest potential corn harvest in April 2024 is expected in 10 districts: Sumbawa with 39,632 hectares, Bima with 29,957 hectares, Gunung Kidul with 26,899 hectares, Dompu with 17,060 hectares, Central Lampung with 15,202 hectares, Wonogiri with 15,200 hectares, Boalemo with 12,280 hectares, East Lampung with 12,030 hectares, Jeneponto with 11,997 hectares, and Malang with 9,719 hectares.
“We invite all relevant stakeholders to work together and contribute to the welfare of farmers,” Suwandi concluded.
Source: Tempo.co
