"The ministry's programs have yielded results. We have increased rice productivity to reduce imports and makes us closer to achieving self-sufficiency," Sudaryono stated following a working meeting at the Parliament Complex here on Monday (August 26).
He highlighted that Statistics Indonesia (BPS) projected a significant increase in Indonesia's rice production in August and September, estimated at 2.84 and 2.87 million tons, respectively.
The BPS also projected rice production in October to reach 2.59 million tons, he added.
"The projected increase reflects the effectiveness of our budget refocusing on the installation of new water pumps and the optimization of marshland encouraged by the ministry this year," Sudaryono explained.
Related news: Minister aims for rice self-sufficiency in 3 years
He affirmed that the ministry would continue to apply innovative policies and optimize resources to help farmers boost their productivity.
Through the ministry's programs, the deputy minister is upbeat that Indonesia would achieve self-sufficiency and be free from dependence on rice imports.
The deputy minister highlighted that it will also be consistent with the government's target of bolstering food resilience and achieving food sovereignty.
"We aim to control rice imports to only up to 10 percent of the national consumption demand," Sudaryono stated.
Related news: How to keep a lid on rice inflation and build sufficiency
Translator: M Harianto, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
