TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned company PT Pupuk Indonesia has developed a Rice Center in Indramayu Regency through its subsidiary PT Pupuk Indonesia Pangan (PIP). The development of the Rice Center is part of the company’s effort to increase its contribution to the National Food Sustainability Program set by the government.
Pupuk Indonesia CEO Aas Asikin Idat explained that the Rice Center is also intended to help in improving farmer's welfare in Indramayu.
"Indramayu is one of West Java's rice [production center]. As a region with the largest expanse of paddy field, Indramayu is the ideal location to construct a Rice Center," Aas said in a written statement on Sunday, March 12, 2017.
Aas asserted that by constructing the Rice Center, farmers' welfare can be improved by providing technical training and guaranteed purchase of farmers' harvest. In addition, the Rice Center will also help increase the region's revenue by establishing partnership with a regional company.
The Rice Center will comprise of three separate section: a farming depot, rice cultivation unit, and rice milling unit.
"The farming depot will provide agriculture support through a synergy with state-owned enterprises in the form of fertilizers supply, seeds, farming equipment and technical consultation for farmers," Aas said.
Meanwhile, the Rice Milling Unit will serve as off-taker for farmers' unhulled rice. "By using modern technology, unhulled rice will be processed into high quality rice, either medium or premium quality rice," Aas said.
SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA
