"The minimum rice surplus should be 10 million tons per year. We don`t think five million tons would be enough for self-sufficiency. It should be an obligation for us to have an annual surplus of 10 million tons," President Yudhoyono said at the closing of a government working retreat at the Bogor Palace on Tuesday.
In order to achieve the target, the president outlined some strategies including the opening of new rice paddies by utilizing deserted lands, improving the quality of seeds, fertilizers and irrigation systems.
In tandem, the government would carry out guidance on agriculture, movement on fighting pests, revitalizing research and development as well as increasing cooperation with other countries on rice production.
"At least it will be realized in the next five to 10 years," President Yudhoyono said.
He asked all relevant parties in the effort, especially research institutions, to support each other as research and development is much required in boosting rice production. The government will be ready to allocate the required fund for the effort.
President Yudhoyono did not disclose any figure of the fund on the reason that the figure would be revisable so that if the amount of the fund announced today - and later on revised - he could be regarded to have lied to the public.
He however made an emphasis that rice surplus is one of the government`s top three priorities, along with improvements on Jakarta transportation system and job creation.
On job creation, the president expected the created job opportunities will reduce some million jobless people per year.(*)
KR-VFT/HAJM/S012
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
