1.1 million tons of rice production targeted

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The Central Sulawesi Agriculture Agency has set itself a target of producing 1.1 million tons of rice by the end of 2012 amid natural disasters that hit some of rice producing areas in the province.

Some villages in Sigi regency, one of the province’s rice producers, for instance, suffered from a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in mid August.

“I am optimistic that we can meet the target,” said Abdullah Kawulusan, the agency head.

To reach the target, the provincial administration has started to open new farmland across the region.

“We are trying to boost productivity by using high-quality seeds and
applying a balanced fertilizing system,” he added.