"With the blessing of God, I hereby declare World Food Day celebrations officially started," the Vice President said and then struck a Palo-palo (Gorontalo traditional musical instrument) accompanied by Agriculture Minister Suswono.
When Boediono and his wife, Herawati, arrived at the site of the celebrations, a field named Lapangan Badan Pusat Informasi Jagung, they were welcomed with a local traditional dance, the lo tidi oayabu.
After the World Food Day celebrations opening ceremony, the vice president toured the field where various food-related objects were on display. He observed a "corn tower", "sustainable food home", a World Food Day technology exhibition.
On the occasion, the Vice President also symbolically presented representatives of 71 farmer groups with an aid package for the development of a rural agribusiness community worth Rp 7.1 billion.
He also handed seven million seeds to Gorontalo farmers on behalf of the forestry ministry, and heavy-duty excavator equipment to four districts in Gorontalo province from the marine resources and fisheries ministry. .
To Bone Bolango district chief Hamin Pou , Boediono handed community empowerment assistance packages for eight villages in four districts from the culture and tourism Ministry.
Baolemo District chief Iwan Bokings received 75 bio-gas power plants (PLTS) assistance for five districts in Gorontalo province from the disadvantaged regions ministry.
On the same occasion, Herawati Boediono handed an award to the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) of Solok, West Sumatra, as the winner of a creative menu competition.
(Uu.A050/HAJM/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
