Mamuju, Wesst Sulawesi (ANTARA Sulbar) - The West Sulawesi agriculture and animal husbandry service said the province`s corn production exceeded its target of 110,813 tons in 2012.
"West Sulawesi`s corn production reached 122,545 tons in 2012 or 10.59 percent higher than the target set by the central government for the province," Muhammad Abduh, head of the agriculture and animal husbandry service, said here on Friday.
Abduh attributed the increase to expansion of corn fields and aid received by the local farmers from the regional administration.
He said this year, the central government has set a new target for the province`s corn production at 120,827 tons.
"The target should not be too difficult to reach as production last year was already higher than that figure. We even hope to reach as high as 122,607 tons," he said.
The governor said the government wants West Sulawesi to increase its corn production to 123,000 tons in 2014 and make corn a major commodity to contribute to the welfare of the people in the region.
In order to reach the target and realize expectation West Sulawesi will need high quality seeds to increase production and productivity , he said.
"The central government should help provide larger budget for the procurement of high yield seed variety for West Sulawesi. Scarcity of high quality seeds has been one of the main problems to boost corn production in the province," he said.
He said the government has to help the farmers with good quality seeds .
"We certainly are optimistic that we would reach the production target. Production would be increased by improving productivity and expansion of plantations," he added. A Saragih/o Tamindael
"West Sulawesi`s corn production reached 122,545 tons in 2012 or 10.59 percent higher than the target set by the central government for the province," Muhammad Abduh, head of the agriculture and animal husbandry service, said here on Friday.
Abduh attributed the increase to expansion of corn fields and aid received by the local farmers from the regional administration.
He said this year, the central government has set a new target for the province`s corn production at 120,827 tons.
"The target should not be too difficult to reach as production last year was already higher than that figure. We even hope to reach as high as 122,607 tons," he said.
The governor said the government wants West Sulawesi to increase its corn production to 123,000 tons in 2014 and make corn a major commodity to contribute to the welfare of the people in the region.
In order to reach the target and realize expectation West Sulawesi will need high quality seeds to increase production and productivity , he said.
"The central government should help provide larger budget for the procurement of high yield seed variety for West Sulawesi. Scarcity of high quality seeds has been one of the main problems to boost corn production in the province," he said.
He said the government has to help the farmers with good quality seeds .
"We certainly are optimistic that we would reach the production target. Production would be increased by improving productivity and expansion of plantations," he added. A Saragih/o Tamindael