Gogo Rice Begins Being Developed By Wondama Papua Local Farmers

Gogo Rice Begins Being Developed By Wondama Papua Local Farmers

Local farmers in Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua, began to develop upland rice or inbred upland rice (inpago) to optimize the use of dry land in the area.

The first planting was carried out by the Regent of Bernadus Imburi in Kampi Webi in the Rasiei District on Friday (12/6). Local residents prepare one hectare of land specifically for the development of Inpago 8 and Inpago 9 types of paddy fields.

The regent said he was happy and proud because the perpetrators of the development of paddy fields in Kampi Webi were local local farmers.

"I am very happy because I am not Javanese but I am a Wondama person. This rice planting is different, not the same as planting taro or banana. Rice planting people must be patient and loyal, every day must come to the garden take care of it. "I am happy because now Wondama people can not be Javanese, Balinese, Manado people but Wondama people themselves," he said.

The Regent appreciated the initiative of the Kurimariei farmer group in Kampung Webi, who wanted to open land for the development of paddy rice even in the midst of a corona or Covid-19 virus pandemic. It also proves the community can still be productive even though they are facing exposure to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"This virus makes us all afraid but it does not mean we are in the house all the time. Who want fishing, fishing, want to plant, plant. Don't let us stay at home then we can't eat. Keep working as usual but follow the health protocol, wear a mask, wash your hands and don't get a crowd, "said the number one person Wondama.

The Regent hopes that what is done by the farmers of Webi village will also be followed by residents in other regions so that food security in Wondama especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic can be maintained. "If everyone wants to make good use of the yard, then we in Wondama will have no difficulty meeting our local food stock," said Imburi.

Erkianus Mbari, a farmer and landowner, said that he had planted paddy several years ago on the same land but with different varieties. He was also interested in replanting because currently the seeds planted were new varieties which he believed would bring good results.

"From this seed he is already good to be seen (the results will be good). I once planted, I am happy planting again so I have worked neatly like this so I want to be able to be like the farmers out there, "said Mbari.

Acting Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food Tedy Lekitoo on the occasion explained, the development of field rice in the Webi village was part of efforts to strengthen food security in Wondama.

Tedi said that this year, through the Special Autonomy Fund, his party allocated six hectares of land to develop the commodity of paddy, paddy and sweet potato and cassava. In the village of Webi, aside from the paddy fields, one hectare of land had also been prepared for purple sweet potato varieties and Papua Salosa.

As for the developed paddy rice, the IR-64 variety is located in Warayaru, Teluk Duairi District. "Per hectare, we give Rp. 5 million to farmer groups to open land, in total there are 6 hectares that we open for upland rice, lowland rice, sweet potatoes as well as cassava," explained Tedy.