The Kerinci regency administration in Jambi, in cooperation with the Army, is set plant 100 hectares of paddy in the regency this year.

The effort is part of the administration’s attempt to support the government’s targets in food security across the country.

The Kerinci Agriculture Agency’s infrastructure division head, Ahfaz, said the paddy would be planted in phases in two districts, namely Gunung Tujuh and Bukit Kerman, bordering South Sumatra and Bengkulu provinces, respectively.

“There will be 75-ha in Gunung Tujuh and 25-ha in Bukit Kerman,” Ahfaz said on Saturday.

Read also: New IPB-developed paddy variety offers high yields

The regency planted 350 hectares of paddy last year in 13 villages in two districts.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is aiming for 1 million-ha of new paddy across the country to boost rice production and ensure rice self-sufficiency. (kuk/bbs)