A number of observers believe that Indonesia has succeeded in increasing the productivity of domestic rice and corn. Head of Agricultural Policy Studies at the Indonesian Agronomy Association (Peragi) Edi Santosa assessed that the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to increase rice and corn productivity are slowly but surely starting to show positive results. 5.11 tons/hectare, then increased to 5.13 tons/hectare in 2020 and 5.22 tons/hectare in 2021. According to Edi, the increase in rice and corn productivity during the leadership of the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo could not be separated from the development of seed quality, supply of fertilizers and the use of agricultural machinery. "I think this increase cannot be separated from those 3 things. And I think this is what is called advanced, independent and modern agriculture under the Minister of SYL," said the Professor of IPB, Friday (8/4). Edi considers that the current challenges of rice production are not easy. Moreover, Indonesia and other countries in the world are both facing the storm of a prolonged pandemic crisis. Not to mention the war between Russia and Ukraine which has a direct impact on rising prices.

"Indonesia is a country that is quite successful in increasing rice and corn production so that their availability is always stable, especially during a pandemic like today," he said. on the Asian continent which produces abundant rice production. In Asia, Indonesia's productivity is only behind that of Vietnam. The highest productivity is Vietnam with a production volume of 5.89 tons/hectare, followed by Indonesia 5.19 tons/hectare, Bangladesh 4.74 tons/hectare, the Philippines 3.97 tons/hectare, India 3.88 tons/hectare, Pakistan 3 .84 tons/hectare, Myanmar 3.79 tons/hectare, Cambodia 3.57 tons/hectare and Thailand 3.l.09 tons/hectare. "Therefore, we need to support this success together so that in the future Indonesia becomes a strong country that is sovereign over its own food," he said.

Separately, Food Observer from Brawijaya University, Mangku Purnomo, appreciated the success of the Ministry of Agriculture in increasing the national rice and corn productivity. For him, this success is proof that Indonesia is a very strong agricultural country and can be taken into account in the international arena. "What is certain is that we have shown countries in the world that we are the strongest agricultural nation that has great potential in the agricultural sector," he said.
Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20220411104444-104-783105/pengamat-nilai-indonesia-sukses-dorong-produktivitas-padi-dan-jagung