Rice production of East Kalimantan predicted to rise

Samarinda (Antaranews) - The rice production of East Kalimantan is predicted to increase slightly 0.17 percent to 400,778 tons from 400,102 tons in dry unhulled rice in 2017 .

"With intensification program and expansion of planting area, we are optimistic the production of unhulled rice of the province would increase," head of the provincial Food Crop and Horticulture Service Ibrahim said here on Tuesday.

Unhulled rice production in East Kalimantan has tended to increase from year to year, he said citing, production rose 31.04 percent from 305,337 tons in 2016 to 400,102 tons in 2017.

He acknowledged there are a number of crucial problems discouraging farmers from increasing their production such as problem in irrigation . There is no guarantee of irrigation for the rice fields, he added.

"Until now farmers are still facing frequent shortage in water supply to irrigate their rice fields. They have to rely more on rain water for irrigation. Rainy days are not enough in the province. In rainy season flooding is even disastrous," he said.

The farmers expect the government to help them in building dams to guarantee sufficient irrigation in dry season and to control flooding in rainy season, he said.

There are a number of dams being built by the government in the province but they are still under construction. Among the dams being built are one in the sub-district of Marangkayu, district of Kutai Kartanegara, and one in Muara Telake, district of Paser.

East Kalimantan has many big rivers but unfortunately they are not yet sufficiently exploited for irrigation to increase its rice productivity .

Ibrahim said rice harvest area is expected to expand 3.07 percent from 2017 to 97,293 hectares this year. In 2017, the harvest area already expanded from 2016. In 2016, harvest area reached 80,343 hectares, expanding to 94,393 hectare sin 2017. (*)