Batu Allocates Rp3b for Organic Agriculture
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Rabu, 22 Oktober 2014 19:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Batu – The government of Batu City, Malang, will earmark Rp3.5 billion (US$291,600) for the development of organic agriculture, particularly to produce safe and environmentally-friendly agricultural products.
“We’re allocating Rp500 million (US$41,600) for [the development of] organic agriculture and particularly for outreach,” Batu Mayor Punjul Santoso said in a speech at an international seminar on organic agriculture on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.
Punjul added that the local regional legislative council had approved the budget to be increased to Rp3 billion (US$250,000) next year.
Batu's Agriculture and Forestry Agency head Arif As Sidiq said the budget would be used to procure agricultural tools and eradicate pests by organic system and dump plot methods. Several areas to be used as dump plot sites include Tlekung, Sisir, Giripurno, Pendem and Tulungrejo.
“We will also consolidate post-harvest activities, seed procurement and cooling room,” Arif said.
The Agriculture Agency will facilitate organic farmers for the program by providing them with incentives.
ABDI PURMONO
