"It is vital that we use rice seeds of the finest quality. That way, we will be able to shoot up our production rate,"
Subang (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, has expressed the belief that the use of superior-grade rice seeds would help Indonesia boost domestic rice production and ditch rice imports.

During an inspection of a rice harvest activity at a farm managed by state-run PT Sang Hyang Seri in Subang, West Java, on Thursday, Hasan observed that Indonesia is still witnessing inequitable distribution and use of high-quality rice seeds in regions.

"It is vital that we use rice seeds of the finest quality. That way, we will be able to shoot up our production rate," he said.

He then pushed for the provision of adequate quality rice seeds, with the end goal of making Indonesia food self-sufficient again in the next four years.

So far, the government has been resorting to imports to meet the national needs for rice, considering that the country has the capacity to produce just around 31 million tons of rice per year, he noted.

Bearing that in mind, Hasan expressed optimism that Indonesia would ramp up its rice production rate by 10 percent by prioritizing the use of superior rice seeds.

"A 10-percent increase equals 3 million tons, meaning we can produce 34 million tons of rice, which will eliminate the need for imports. I came here to identify the cause of the seed-related issues," the former trade minister said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hasan met with President Prabowo Subianto to brief the head of state on the results of his coordination with ministries regarding the programs needed to build food self-sufficiency.

Speaking to the media after the meeting in Jakarta, the minister revealed that the government has set aside Rp139.4 trillion, or around US$8.8 billion, in the budget for the programs prepared for next year.

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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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