The Ministry of Agriculture encourages the Provincial Government of Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) to develop corn and soybean commodities as an effort to improve the regional and national economy. Head of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantan) Bambang in Kendari, Wednesday, said that his party received a direct assignment from the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, to assist the Southeast Sulawesi government in developing corn and soybeans in Southeast Sulawesi. According to him, the Southeast Sulawesi region which consists of mainland and islands has potential if it develops corn and soybean commodities, but it has not been managed properly." Therefore, the Minister assigned me as the Head of the Quarantine Agency to collaborate, knit all forces that can provide support for the development especially corn and soybeans," he said.
He explained that in the last three years, Indonesia has succeeded in becoming self-sufficient in rice because it does not import. Therefore, it targets in 2023 the same thing can happen and in 2024 to 2025 can also be self-sufficient in soybeans. Even so, he admitted that corn seeds were not assisted by the state budget but could be purchased independently through non-governmental funds or KUR, while soybeans were still guaranteed by the state budget. He added that the marketing opportunities for corn commodities are very high, foreign demand is also very high, but to this day his party is still holding back because they consider the need, especially to support the national animal feed industry. Deputy Governor of Southeast Sulawesi Lukman Abunawas said that currently there are around 100,000 hectares of agricultural land in the area. "The area in Southeast Sulawesi, especially on the mainland, is still up to 100,000 hectares. For example, corn commodity in all regencies/cities has land to develop it, there are 5,000 hectares at least 500 hectares. So land availability is ready," said Lukman.
