1Berita.com – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on farmers to start planting rice in early January. He hopes for an increase in rice production during the harvest period in March and April.

“I want to make sure that in early January, everyone starts planting because the rain has fallen, meaning the water needs are already met, so we can start planting. In December, we planted 1.4 million hectares, in January 1.7 million hectares, and in February 1.4 million hectares. So, we hope for an increase in rice production during the upcoming March-April harvest,” said Jokowi after inspecting rice planting in Banyumas, Central Java, on Wednesday (3/1/2023).

Jokowi admitted that he has received complaints about fertilizers. With the addition of a Rp 14 trillion fertilizer subsidy budget, he hopes to minimize fertilizer issues for farmers.

“If farmers need fertilizer, I’ve conveyed that fertilizer purchases don’t have to use a farmer card; they can use their ID cards. Be prepared for this harvest season; there will be 1.7 million tons of fertilizer from Pupuk Indonesia. I think that should be sufficient, and I hope there will be no more complaints about fertilizers,” he said.

“Furthermore, I have asked the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance to propose an additional budget of Rp 14 trillion for fertilizer subsidies,” added Jokowi.

Therefore, he urged farmers to be ready to plant early this year. Additionally, Jokowi revealed concerns about irrigation. He stated that the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) would promptly address this issue.

“Well, earlier, the fertilizer must be ready for planting early this year. If the target can be raised again. The complaint was also about irrigation issues, where the sediment is high in the dam. This will be addressed by the Minister of Public Works as soon as possible,” he said.