Indonesian Rice Production Reaches 79 Million Tons

Jakarta - Indonesian national production of unhulled rice rose to 79 million

tons in 2016 from 74 million tons in 2015."The production of unhusked rice will
increase to 79 million tons, from 70 million tons in 2014 and 74 million tons in 2015,"
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, said on Thursday in the village of Bhakti
Rasa, Sragi subdistrict, South Lampung. Therefore, he said, Indonesia will not need
to import rice and it could even export to other countries.
The country will continue to increase agricultural production through various
means, including agricultural mechanization. Through measures such as the
provision of agricultural machinery (alsintan) assistance to farmers, the ministry
encourages mechanization of agriculture, a policy that will continue, to further
improve agricultural productivity.
The minister said the use of agricultural technology was able to cut production
costs by 50 percent. The production cost of one hectare, which usually reached Rp12
million, has now been reduced to Rp6 million. In addition, in one year, the farmer
can plant two to three times. Moreover, he continued, The country will continue to
increase agricultural production through various means, including agricultural
mechanization.
"Now the government has set the price of basic commodities, such as Rp3,150 per
kilogram for corn, so farmers feel safe because there is certainty of price. They will
not suffer losses during the harvest period. Also, the government will guarantee the
purchase price so that farmers will feel secure as their production will be absorbed,"
he explained.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Peoples Deliberative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan appreciated the efforts of the agriculture minister to increase agricultural
production through various measures, including mechanization.
"We both know that at this time to increase the agricultural land was very difficult.
But the population will surely continue to grow so that the food production should be
increased. Therefore, I appreciate the performance of the Minister of Agriculture on

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his efforts to increase production, especially through technology mechanization, "he
said.
Zulkifli added that providing agricultural machinery to farmers is a very
effective, helpful policy and in accordance with current requirements. "It is inevitable
that mechanization is really required. Farmers used to set off into the fields while it
was still dark, they are exposed to the sun and their skin became dark, and they
returned home very late, again when it was dark. By using alsintan like hand tractors,
farmers can finish cultivating one hectare of land in three hours, where it used to take
11 days to cultivate," said Zulkifli.
The assembly speaker explained that the government’s policy, including price
support to commodities, whose prices plummeted during harvest time, resulting in
losses to farmers, was very strategic and meant to help farmers.Zulkifli personally
expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, whose
efforts during the past two years, he said, had lifted agricultural production and
ensured that the country did not have to import rice.
"It must be recognized, I am grateful for the performance of Amran who have proved
his ability to increase agricultural production. And, this is the reality this year, the
government did not import rice after 32 years of importing the commodity. It should
be appreciated because with our current condition, it is not easy to do," he said.
(https://en.tempo.co/read/831532/indonesian-rice-production-reaches-79-million-
tons)

VOCABULARY

A. Match the words/phrases in Table A with their meaning in Table B

(A) (B)
Words/phrases Meanings
1. Hull a. Material consisting of seed coverings and small
pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated
from the seeds.

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2. Commodities b. A large-scale farming enterprise, the practice of
cultivating the land or raising stock
3. Husk c. Production of food by preparing the land to grow
crops (especially on large scale)

4. Cultivation d. Dry outer covering of fruit or seed or nut

5. Agriculture e. Articles of commerce.

B. Select the Correct Answers:

1. Indonesia need to import rice and it could not even export to other
countries
a. True b. false c. Not in the text
2. The country will continue to decrease agricultural production through
various means, including agricultural mechanization.

a. True b. false c. Not in the text

3. The country will continue to increase agricultural production through
various means, including agricultural mechanization.

a. True b. false c. Not in the text

4. The production cost of one hectare, which usually reached Rp12
million, has now been reduced to Rp6 million.

a. True b. false c. Not in the text

5. Farmer will suffer losses during the harvest period.

a. True b. false c. Not in the text

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C. Answer the following questions:
1. What does the ministry encourage to improve agricultural productivity?
2. Based on the minister statement, how many percent the use of
agricultural technology was able to cut production costs?
3. What are the government’s policies to help farmers?
4. How much the price of basic commodities, such as corn?
5. How many years the government had imported rice?

D. Written Expression!!

Please make a summary based on the article above about Indonesian Rice
Production:

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