West Sulawesi Harvest Area and Rice Production in 2023 Decreases, Potential in 2024 Increases

Mamuju, March 1 2024 – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of West Sulawesi Province (Sulbar) released data on Harvest Area and Rice Production in West Sulawesi Province in 2023 (Fixed Figures) today.

Head of BPS West Sulawesi, Tina Wahyufitri, in a news release received in Mamuju, Wednesday (1/3), said that the rice harvest area in West Sulawesi in 2023 will experience a decrease of 15.46 percent compared to 2022.

"The rice harvest area in 2023 will reach around 58.61 thousand hectares, a decrease of 10.71 thousand hectares or 15.46 percent compared to the rice harvest area in 2022 which was 69.32 thousand hectares," said Tina.

The decrease in rice harvest area will cause a decrease in rice production in West Sulawesi in 2023 by 17.55 percent compared to 2022.

"Rice production in West Sulawesi in 2023 is 291.46 thousand tons of GKG, a decrease of 62.05 thousand tons or 17.55 percent compared to rice production in 2022 which was 353.51 thousand tons of GKG," explained Tina.

Despite experiencing a decline in 2023, BPS West Sulawesi predicts the potential for an increase in harvested area and rice production in the January-April 2024 Subround.

"The potential rice harvest in the January-April 2024 Subround is estimated to reach 23.59 thousand hectares, or an increase of around 1.63 thousand hectares (7.44 percent) compared to the rice harvest area in the January-April 2023 Subround which was 21.96 thousand hectares. ," explained Tina.

The potential for increasing rice production in the January-April 2024 Subround is also predicted by BPS West Sulawesi.

"Thus, the total rice production potential in the January-April 2024 Subround is estimated to reach 125.72 thousand tons of GKG, or an increase of 14.38 thousand tons of GKG (12.91 percent) compared to the January-April 2023 Subround which was 111.34 thousand tons of MPD," said Tina.

Acting Governor of West Sulawesi, Prof. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, who was present at the news release event, appreciated the performance of BPS West Sulawesi in providing accurate and up-to-date statistical data.

"BPS data is very important for the government in making policies related to food security in West Sulawesi," said Zudan.

Zudan also hopes that all parties can work together to increase rice production in West Sulawesi in the future.

"We must synergize and collaborate to increase rice production in West Sulawesi, so that food security in our region can be maintained," stressed Zudan.