No Need to Import, Rice Stocks Baduy Banten Abundant People

INDUSTRY.co.id - Lebak - Bedouin rice supplies in the hinterland of Lebak Regency, Banten Province, are now abundant because they have food security from rice crops.

"All the harvested rice is stored in a food house or "leuit” so that it is sufficient for the family's life needs," said Santa (45) a Bedouin farmer when contacted in Lebak, Sunday (14/1/2018)

During this time, the increase in rice prices on the market has no impact on the Bedouin community. Bedouin society has never experienced food insecurity.

Their harvested paddy crops are not sold because to meet the needs for family food consumption.

Farmers develop rice farming area around Gunungkencana, Cileles, Leuwidamar, Bojongmanik, Cirinten, Sobang, and Cimarga subdistricts.

Huma's field farming land with the system of rent and profit sharing with the land owner. In addition, many Bedouin communities plant on Perum Perhutani's land.

"We hope the rice harvest for the next three months can be harvested well without pests," Santa said.

Pulung (50) Bedouin residents admitted that he has never bought rice in the market because food supply is abundant.

Even last year's rice harvest is still a lot to pack food. In addition, he received assistance in the rice program for the community prosperous or rastra.

"We get once a month from the local village," he said.

Adat leader who is also Head of Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak Regency, Saija, said that Baduy people have never experienced food insecurity since every harvest of rice is stored in food or leuit barns.

Currently, the number of food barns is 405 barns and each barn can hold between four and five tons of grain.

In addition, Bedouin communities receive rice programs for the poor or rastra.

Therefore, the Bedouin population of 11,620 people and composed of 5,870 men and 5,570 women fulfilled their food needs.

"We have no impact on the increase in rice prices in the market because of sufficient food supply and surplus," he said.

Head of Agriculture and Plantation Office Lebak Dede Supriatna said the principle of Bedouin society inherited from the ancestors so far can arrange food production quite well.

During this time, Bedouin society has never experienced food crisis.

They maintain food by farming upland rice on land without using chemical fertilizers.

In fact, food production in the Bedouin area is surplus and abundant because some of their grain is stored in the food barn.

"Storage of grain to maintain food security," said Dede. (Ant)