Mentan Minta Wakil Bupati Serang `Bersumpah` di Tengah Sawah
Indonesia`s Serang District Official Asked to Boost Rice Production
MENTERI Pertanian RI, Amran Sulaiman mengaku prihatin pada kondisi saluran irigasi di Sungai Cipatuk di Kabupaten Serang, Banten yang mengalami pendangkalan. Akibatnya, sekitar 8.500 hektar sawah di Kabupaten Serang dan Kabupaten Pandeglang terendam banjir sehingga mengancam peningkatan produksi padi.
"Saya akan hubungi Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum untuk segera mengeruk sungai. Irigasi itu kunci meningkatkan produksi padi, ini harus cepat diselesaikan," kata Mentan saat mengunjungi saluran irigasi Cisata di Desa Kondang Jaya, Pandeglang, Banten, pekan lalu.
Selain didampingi puluhan wartawan, turut hadir Wakil Bupati Serang, Ratu Tatu Chasanah dan Direktur Jenderal Pengolahan dan Pemasaran Hasil Pertanian Kementan, Yusni E Harahap.
Mentan pun meminta Ratu Tatu Chasanah untuk meningkatkan produksi padi hingga 20% tahun ini, apabila perbaikan irigasi rampung.
"Bupati mau disumpah nih, saya minta ibu wakil bupati sanggupi naikkan produksi padi 20%. Kalau sanggup saya janji tambah bantuan traktor tangan dari 50 unit tahun lalu. Ini janji ibu di sawah di depan wartawan," tanya Amran Sulaiman.
Ratu Tatu Chasanah pun bersedia menyanggupi. Amran pun menjawab: "Saya cuma minta satu. Naikkan produksi padi. Apa yang Serang minta akan saya sanggupi, asalkan mau kerja tingkatkan produksi." (Foto2: B2B/Mya)
INDONESIAN Agriculture Minister, Amran Sulaiman admitted concern to siltation in irrigation canals Cipatuk River in
Serang district, Banten province. Consequently approximately 8,500 hectares of rice fields in Serang district and Pandeglang district were flooded so that threatens to increase rice production.
"I will immediately contact the ministry of public works as soon as possible to dredge the river. Irrigation was key to increase rice production, and must be quickly resolved," Mr Sulaiman said while visited Cisata irrigation channel in Kondang Jaya village, Banten province on last week.
The event attended by dozens of journalists and Serang Deputy Regent, Ratu Tatu Chasanah and Indonesian Ministry's Director General of Processing and Marketing of Agricultural, Yusni E Harahap.
Mr Sulaiman also asked to Mrs Chasanah to increase rice production by 20% this year, if the irrigation repairs completed.
"Deputy Regent will be sworn, I asks Mrs Chasanah able to increase rice production to 20%. If you are able, I will add hand tractors from 50 units last year. This is your promise in the rice fields in front of the journalists," Mr Sulaiman said.
Mrs Chasanah finally agreed. Mr Sulaiman replied: "Only one I asked for. Increase the rice production. Whatever you ask, I will give it. As long as willing to work hard to increase rice production." (Pictures: B2B/Mya)
