JAYAPURA - President Joko Widodo directly visited the corn field planted by him three months ago, in the food estate area, Wambes Village, Mannem District, Keerom Regency, Papua Province, on Thursday evening (6/7/2023).

Although he considered that there are several things that need to be improved so that crop yields are maximized, the President ensures that if the productivity is high, the corn land is expected to meet national corn needs, especially in Eastern Indonesia.

" This is for eastern Indonesia, if the productivity is high above 7 tons, then people will flock to come here," said the President.

According to Jokowi, the thing that needs to be considered is that the harvest is too much water, so there needs to be an evaluation. Nevertheless, this is still understandable to Jokowi because the field is used and processed to plant corn for the first time.

"The yield is around 7 tons per hectare, while the national standard is 5.6 tons per hectare, the land is very fertile but the water needs to be managed properly," he said.

The President also said that the selling price of corn harvest in the region was quite high, it revolves around IDR 5,000-IDR 6,000 per kilogram, higher than the cost of goods produced (HPP). According to the President, these prices can provide great benefits for farmers.

" I think it's a big luck. This means that if 7 tons per hectare multiplied by IDR 6 thousand equals 42 (million) per hectare. If we have 1,000 (hectares) then the result is IDR 42 billion, really big for only 3 months or 100 days," he explained.

The president also said he would return to visit Keerom Regency in the next three months. The President hopes that the next crop from the cornfield will give good results.

" I will check from a distance, if for these 45 hectares, the results are good, it means that in 3 months I will come here again to harvest," said the President.

In the review, President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of State Secretary, Pratikno, Special Staff to President, Billy Mambrasar, Acting Governor of Papua, Ridwan Rumasukun, and Regent of Keerom, Piter Gusbager. ***