REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) sets target to grow food crops in 57,000 hectares of farm lands in the province in the second planting seasons (April-September) this year.

The province hopes to grow food crops including rice, corn and soybeans in 57,000 hectares of land until June, head of the regional agriculture and plantation service Yohanis Tay Ruba said.

So far more than 13,000 hectares have been planted, Yohanis said here on Monday.

He said the target was set to forestall possible crop failure in the 2015/2016 planting seasons as a result of the weather phenomenon El Nino.

"We would optimize the use of all farm lands to increase food production," he said.

He said currently officers of the agriculture and plantation service and officials from the agriculture ministry are down in the fields to make sure the planting program is well implemented.

They gave guidance to the farmers about proper methods of planting and cultivation, he said.

"Currently it's harvest season and the farmers need guidance how to exploit and cultivate their lands immediately," he added.

He said he is optimistic the farmers would be able to carry out replanting immediately after harvest time with the support of the military in the area.

Based on official record, until May 2016 , lengthy drought damaged food crops in 55,756 hectares of lands in 1,787 villages in 230 sub-districts in the province.

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