PORTALJABAR, GARUT REGENCY - Garut Regency has again shown its achievements in the agricultural sector by winning an award from the West Java Provincial Government as the Regency with the Largest Corn Production in West Java in 2024.

This award in the form of a charter was presented by the Secretary of the West Java Province Food Crops and Horticulture Service, Yanti Hidyatun Zakiah, to the Head of Facilities for the Garut Regency Agriculture Service, Ardhy Firdian, at an event held at the Putri Gunung Hotel, Lembang, Thursday (11/28/2024).

Garut Regency contributes 60 percent of the total corn production in West Java with an average production reaching 600,000 tons per year. The area of corn planting in Garut Regency reaches 68,000 hectares each year, with an average productivity of 7-8 tons per hectare. In some production center areas, productivity even reaches more than 8 tons per hectare of dry corn kernels.

Head of the Garut Regency Agriculture Service, Haeruman, explained that the very suitable land conditions are one of the main factors driving the success of Garut Regency as the largest corn producer.

In addition, intensive efforts from the Department of Agriculture through the development of facilities and infrastructure, structured extension, and protection against the threat of Plant Pest Organisms (OPT) also help maintain sustainable production.

"We also collaborate closely with farmers and the central and regional governments by providing quality seeds and other production facilities," said Haeruman in his statement, Friday (11/29/2024).

In facing challenges such as climate change and land limitations, the Garut Regency Agriculture Service continues to innovate. One strategic step is the construction of a drying facility to maintain the water content of corn according to quality standards.

In addition, the local government is encouraging the realization of the construction of corn-based feed factories in production center areas.

"This factory will provide market certainty for farmers and increase the attractiveness to continue developing corn cultivation," he said.

As of October 2024, corn production in Garut has reached 416,925 tons, or 86.33 percent of the total production in 2023 of 482,916 tons. For 2025, Garut Regency is targeting a planting area of 69,847 hectares with a production target of 630,000 to 650,000 tons.

Then, the central corn production areas in Garut Regency are spread across the northern region such as Limbangan, Karangpawitan, and Banyuresmi Districts, as well as the southern region such as Pakenjeng, Bungbulang, and Caringin Districts. Based on the 2023 Agricultural Census, there are 44,667 corn farming households in Garut, with the majority cultivating hybrid corn.

"We will continue to support farmers to remain productive despite challenges such as dependence on rainfall," he said.

This award is a motivation for Garut Regency to maintain its achievements while improving the welfare of corn farmers in the future.