A number of regions in Central Java immediately prepared 120 hectares of land in three districts for sorghum.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered regions to develop sorghum cultivation as a substitute for wheat. This step is a response to anticipate future food crises.
Responding to Jokowi's orders, a number of regions in Central Java immediately prepared 120 hectares of land in three districts for sorghum.
The head of the Central Java Agriculture and Plantation Service, Supriyanto, said that this project was fully funded by the state budget
“In Wonogiri Regency, there are 50 hectares planted in July, harvested in September or early October, and 10 hectares in August. In Sukoharjo Regency planted 20 hectares in August. Then 40 hectares in Cilacap Regency, planted in October this year," said Supriyanto.
Next year, Central Java will accept an offer to plant sorghum in an area of 25 thousand hectares.
Sorghum is actually not a new commodity for Central Java farmers. So far, at a number of points the self-help cultivation of farmers has been running, such as Demak Regency, Semarang Regency and Wonogiri Regency.
It's just that everything is still limited, because the market has been limited so far. The majority are absorbed by those with diabetes. Fortunately, the selling price is quite high, reaching Rp. 40,000 per kilogram.
In addition, the absence of post-harvest tools means that sorghum is only sold like rice, and has not been processed into flour.
Previously, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo harvested sorghum in Sugio District, Lamongan Regency, East Java on August 22.
Syahrul emphasized that sorghum is an important commodity that can be used as a substitute for wheat.
"Then why do we forget sorghum. Even though this can also be used for noodles, it can be used for other foods. We hope that this sorghum is a native Indonesian plant which does not require a lot of water, almost 50 percent fertilization and of course apart from the fruit, the stems can also be used for sugar, the leaves can be used as animal feed," said Syahrul in the ministry's official statement.
Syahrul invites farmers to develop sorghum like other strategic food ingredients. He even promised various supports, including institutional guarantees to banks.
The Minister of Agriculture hopes that from the 200 hectares that currently exist, sorghum will be developed to 3,000 hectares, and in the next stage to 10 thousand hectares.
Director General of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi said that sorghum is Indonesia's leading commodity, its stems, leaves and roots can be utilized.
"This means that it is zero waste, the leaves, stems and fruit can be used. Sorghum is also a drought tolerant plant and does not require a lot of water during its growth. Sorghum is even harvested repeatedly, in one planting period," said Suwandi. (Ministry of Agriculture)
