BPS of Sulawesi Barat Completes Evaluation, ST2023 Data Ready to be Released

[Mamuju, 16 November 2023] – BPS of Sulawesi Barat Province (BPS Sulbar) carried out the final stage of the 2023 Agricultural Census (ST2023) data processing evaluation on Thursday (16/11). The activities carried out in the Ballroom of the Maleo Mamuju Hotel resulted in several conclusions, one of which was the announcement of the schedule for the first phase of ST2023 data release on December 4th 2023.

On the first day of implementation, it began with several presentations, from the chief organizer of the activity, the Head of BPS of Sulawesi Barat, and the delivery of material by representatives of BPS RI. The chief organizer of the activity, Muhammad Nurbakti, said that this activity was very important for evaluating the results of ST2023 and as a means of collaboration with all stakeholders. "We hope that we will obtain a comprehensive evaluation regarding the coverage of agricultural commodities, establish coordination and collaboration, and be able to produce ST2023 data with optimal quality," explained Nurbakti.

A speech was also delivered by the Head of BPS of Sulawesi Barat, Tina Wahyufitri. He emphasized that maintaining the quality of agricultural data is very important. In 2022 the agricultural sector will contribute 44.19 percent to the total GRDP in Sulawesi Barat. The agricultural sector until the third quarter of 2023 has the largest contribution to economic growth, reaching 7.50 percent (Y-on-Y).

"Based on the results of Susenas March 2022, 48.11 percent of poor households are households that work in the agricultural sector, so they need accurate data to be able to implement various policies," continued Tina.

The presentation of the material and general description of the ST2023 results was delivered by Pertiwi Tanihaha, a young expert statistician. The material on the food crops and livestock subsector was delivered by Muhammad Nurbakti, an intermediate expert statistician. The material on the plantation subsector was delivered by Kartika Usmanti, a young expert statistician. The material on the fisheries subsector was presented by M. La'bi, an intermediate expert statistician. The forestry subsector material was presented by Muhammad Mitsaq Zamir, the first expert statistician. The material on the horticulture subsector was delivered by Abdul Hafid, a young expert statistician.

One by one, representatives of the OPD and related agencies conveyed the phenomena that occurred in their respective work areas according to the summary of the temporary data submitted.

Robinson from the Mamasa Fisheries Service said that there was a trend of decreasing the number of fishing households. "In Mamasa, rice is generally cultivated, while most rice varieties have switched to hybrid varieties which do not require a lot of water and planting time, resulting in a decline in households cultivating freshwater fisheries," explained Robinson.

"Conditions in Majene, there is a tendency for fishermen who have children to become fishermen too, even those who have sons-in-law will also become fishermen, so there is a tendency for the number of fishing households to increase in Majene," continued Ramli from the Majene Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service.

Likewise, explanations from other district and provincial offices also provide an explanation of the phenomenon of increasing or decreasing farming households and the amount cultivated. Of course, these explanations are very helpful in preparing for the ST2023 data release later.