TEMPO.CO, Mataram - Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has designated three regencies di West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province as hubs of national corn production.

"The three regencies are Sumbawa, Bima, and Dompu," Andi said in Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara on Saturday (20/8).

In addition, the Minister that the corn produced by the farmers would be purchased fully by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) at the price of Rp3,100 per kilogram and this price has been determined through the Presidential Regulation and was signed by the President.

"I promise that Indonesia will no longer import corn. We have stopped corn imports and the price is guaranteed by the government, which is at Rp3,150 per kilogram," he added.

In the meantime, NTB Deputy Governor Se Muhammad Amin thanked the minister for giving much assistance to the province.

"Our target is to have 400,000 hectares of corn fields. By planting corn, we hope we can improve the welfare of the people of the province,” he added.

In the meantime, Sumbawa Regent H Husni Jibril said that problems faced by farmers in Sumbawa Regency are irrigation system, seeds and agriculture production machines.

"Therefore, we hope that the construction of Beringin Sila reservoir in Utan district can be soon materialized,” Husni said.

NUR IMANSYAH | ANTARA