The Provincial Government of Central Sulawesi (Pemprov Sulteng) has reported that the local farmers' production of dry-harvested rice (GKP) in 2023 reached an impressive 814,424 tons. Nelson Metubun, the Head of the Department of Food Crops and Horticulture (TPH) in Central Sulawesi, highlighted the significant annual increase in rice production, reaching approximately 42,899 tons more GKP compared to the 2022 production of around 771,525 tons. This remarkable achievement is attributed to the farmers' dedication to enhancing their productivity. The conversion of harvested rice into rice grains recorded a total production of 475,600 tons by local farmers. This surplus is more than sufficient for local consumption, amounting to 367,630 tons, even considering the population of Central Sulawesi at over 3.1 million people. The surplus of 107,970 tons is expected to meet the local rice demand for up to four months, presenting a substantial increase compared to 2022, which had a surplus of only 55,130 tons. Metubun explained that the GKP production was derived from a cultivation area of 222,718 hectares. The increased production was also supported by the Index Planting 400 (IP400) program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, involving four cycles of planting and harvesting annually.
The average local rice consumption stands at 118 kilograms per capita, urging farmers to remain consistent in developing more modern agricultural systems. In line with this, the government continues its efforts to build a self-sufficient, modern, and competitive agricultural climate, assisted by field agricultural counselors to reduce dependence on rice exports, aligning with the Ministry of Agriculture's mission. Metubun emphasized that agricultural self-sufficiency requires more than just extensive land availability; it necessitates support in terms of farmer human resources, regeneration, innovation, and the availability of adequate agricultural machinery and equipment (alsintan). In the current era, farmers are transitioning from traditional tools to modern equipment supported by digitalization systems, marking a transformation in farming practices. The government encourages this shift to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Central Sulawesi.
