Mentan: Irigasi Bagus, Benih dan Pupuk Cukup. "Penyuluh yang Kurang"
Indonesia Needs More Agricultural Extension Workers
Reporter : Gusmiati Waris
Editor : Cahyani Harzi
Translator : Dhelia Gani
Medan, Sumatera Utara (B2B) - Setelah mengunjungi hampir dua pertiga wilayah Indonesia untuk mengidentifikasi kendala dan memberi solusi bagi pembangunan pertanian nasional, Menteri Pertanian RI Andi Amran Sulaiman mengakui bahwa infrastruktur pertanian seperti irigasi mulai dibangun maupun diperbaiki, suplai benih dan pupuk terus meningkat, dan sebagian besar alat mesin pertanian telah diterima petani.
"Kendala irigasi yang rusak mulai diatasi. Benih dan pupuk sudah tidak bermasalah, alsintan terus dibagikan ke petani, yang jadi kendala adalah minimnya penyuluh pertanian. Saat ini hanya ada 27 ribu orang padahal kebutuhannya 70 ribu orang atau kurang 43 ribu penyuluh pertanian," kata Amran Sulaiman saat kunjungan kerja di Medan, Sumatera Utara pada Rabu (22/4).
Amran Sulaiman mengatakan, pemerintah menargetkan pencapaian swasembada dalam tiga tahun ke depan, dengan menyediakan dana pengungkit melalui APBNP 2015 sebesar Rp16,9 triliun.
Dana tersebut antara lain digunakan untuk rehabilitasi jaringan irigasi tersier 1,1 juta hektar dan optimasi lahan 530 ribu hektar. Bantuan pupuk untuk padi dan jagung pada lahan 4 juta hektar. Pengadaan benih padi tiga juta hektar dan jagung satu juta hektar. Bantuan saprodi perluasan areal tanam kedelai seluas 300 ribu hektar.
"Dana Rp16,9 triliun juga akan dimanfaatkan untuk penyediaan traktor roda dua sebanyak 20 ribu unit, rice transplanter lima ribu unit, pompa air 7.800 unit, combine harvester 10,5-14 HP sebanyak 2.800 unit, dryer 1.900 unit, corn seller 2.000 unit, power tresher kedelai 1.500 unit, dan penggilingan padi kecil sebanyak 6.700 unit.
Untuk mengatasi gula impor, kata Amran Sulaiman, pemerintah akan menyalurkan traktor roda empat untuk tebu sebanyak 500 unit, dan tanaman pangan 1.000 unit. Didukung pengadaan benih tebu untuk ditanam di lahan 12 ribu hektar.
Terkait perkebunan, menurutnya, pemerintah mengalokasikan dana untuk pengembangan kakao berkelanjutan di 15 provinsi. "Namun alokasi dananya masih dibahas di Komisi IV DPR. Doakan segera disetujui."
"Untuk peternakan, pemerintah akan mendorong Gertak Birahi dan inseminasi buatan pada 2 juta akseptor dan bibit indukan .1200 ekor," kata menteri.
Kegiatan pendukung lain pencapaian swasembada pangan adalah kerjasama dengan TNI AD di 22 provinsi, pendampingan petani oleh 5.000 mahasiswa, dukungan Quick Win untuk 21 kegiatan dan pendampingan penyuluhan di 24 ribu lokasi.
Medan, Indonesia (B2B) - After visiting nearly two-thirds of Indonesia to identify obstacles and provide solutions for national agricultural development, the Ministry of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman acknowledges that agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation began to be built or repaired, the supply of seeds and fertilizers continues to increase, and the majority of agricultural machinery has been accepted by farmers.
"Irrigation is damaged beyond repair. The seed and fertilizer is not a problem anymore, agricultural machinery continues to be distributed to farmers, who became obstacle is the lack of agricultural extension workers," Amran Sulaiman said while working visit in Medan, North Sumatera on Wednesday (4/22).
Mr Sulaiman said the government is targeting the achievement of self-sufficiency in the next three years, to provide leverage funding through 2015 revised budget of IDR 16.9 trillion.
The funds will be used for the rehabilitation of tertiary irrigation network of 1.1 million hectares, and optimization of 530 thousand hectares of farmland. Fertilizer subsidies for rice and corn on the 4 million hectares. Procurement of rice seeds to three million acres, and one million acres of corn. Expansion of soybean planting area of 300 thousand hectares.
"The funds will also be used for the procurement of 20 thousand units of two-wheel tractor, rice transplanter five thousand units, 7,800 units of water pumps, combine harvester from 10.5 to 14 HP as much as 2,800 units, 1,900 units dryer, 2,000 unit corn seller, 1,500 units of power tresher soybeans, and 6,700 units of small rice mills," he said.
To overcome import sugar, Mr Sulaiman said, the government will distribute 500 units of four-wheeled tractors for sugarcane, and 1,000 units for crops. Procurement of seed cane for 12 thousand hectares of land.
The Indonesian government has also allocated funds for the development of sustainable cocoa in 15 provinces. "However, the allocation of funds is still being discussed in parliament. Hopefully soon be approved."
"For livestock, the government will encourage artificial insemination on the 2 million cows and 1,200 head feeder cattle," minister said.
Other supporting activities in cooperation with the Indonesian Army in 22 provinces, assisting farmers by 5,000 students, support the Quick Win for 21 activities, guidance counseling in 24 thousand locations.
