"We fully support the International Maize Conference."Gorontalo, Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - A number of farmers in Gorontalo province have expressed a hope that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will open the International Maize Conference (IMC) here on November 22-24.
"The president`s attendance at the maize conference will imply an important meaning to the maize farmers and the local people in general due to his attention to the farmers` fate," according to Zubair, one of the Gorontalo`s maize farmers here on Wednesday.
The president should not be represented by his related minister because the conference will also be attended by foreign participants who need the central government`s attention, he said.
"This is a good momentum for the maize farmers to benefit from the International Maize Conference in an effort to boost the people`s economy," another farmer, Elfis noted.
Meanwhile, participants from 13 maize exporting and importing countries have confirmed a plan to attend the three-day conference.
The foreign participating countries are Mexico, Australia, USA, India, Singapore, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Kenya, Timor Leste and South Korea.
"We have also invited several foreign ambassadors, 22 governors and 46 district heads across the country," Rahman Pinem, chairman of the event`s central organizing committee, disclosed.
In addition, the maize conference will feature several ministers such as Agriculture Minister Dr.Suswono, and Research and Technology Minister Gusti Mohammad Hatta
Apart from that, the Outstanding Farmers and Fishermen Association (KTNA) in North Sulawesi has also expressed support for the conference, according to KTNA chairman Lexi Solang.
Maize information centre (BPIJ) has rehabilitated a total of 35 hectares of maize farm which were damaged by flash floods in Tenilo village, Gorontalo district.
"We fully support the International Maize Conference which we hope can improve the welfare of corn farmers not only in North Sulawesi but also in Gorontalo," he said on Wednesday.
According to Lexi, the corn farmers of Gorontalo and North Sulawesi are in dire need of the government`s attention.
(Uu.B003/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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