March 20, 2024

 

Indonesia's corn harvest sufficient this year to cut dependence on imports, official says

 

 

 

Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture has called upon national food distribution company Bulog to optimise purchases of local farmers' crops, such as corn.

 

Director General of Food Crops Suwandi claimed that the corn harvest this year is abundant which can halt corn imports.

 

"At least 500,000 tonnes of corn from [local] farmers can be absorbed quickly," Suwandi said in a written statement on March 17, 2024.

 

Suwandi estimated that the domestic corn harvest will meet national demand. He considered this harvest time an opportunity for Bulog and entrepreneurs to cut down farmers' production.

 

Suwandi also suggested that Bulog must purchase harvested corn at a fair price. The minister believes that Indonesian farmers would greatly benefit from a proper purchase from Bulog and members of the Association of Animal Feed Companies (GPMT).

 

"We must prioritise (domestic) farmers first," he said.

 

According to Suwandi, corn prices are lower these days due to harvest. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) estimated that national corn production from January to April will reach 5.3 million tonnes. The peak harvest occurs in March which was estimated to reach 2.29 million tonnes on 405 thousand hectares of land.

 

In April, the corn harvest was estimated to reach 1.76 million tonnes on 318 thousand hectares of land. From March to April, corn production could reach four million tonnes, according to Suwandi. Therefore, he was optimistic that harvest in the period would meet national demand.

 

BAsed on BPS data, the largest corn harvest in March 2024 is spread across 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 spread across 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.

- Tempo