Cooperation and supervision are needed to achieve the target."
Kupang (ANTARA News) - Agribusiness observer Leta Rafael Levis of the Kupang-based Nusa Cendana University (Undana), East Nusa Tenggara, has appreciated President Joko Widodos rice production target of 2 million tons of dry unhulled rice in East Java.

"The target supports Indonesias determination to become a food self-sufficient nation in the coming three to four years. Cooperation and supervision are needed to achieve the target," Levis said here on Sunday.

The agriculture lecturer at the Undana University was referring to the statement of President Jokowi, as the president is popularly called, when he visited Central Java and East Java on Saturday.

During the working visits, Jokowi said he has set a target for East Java to produce 2 million tons of dry unhusked rice.

Levis said if the target is achieved, it will have good impact on consumers in Indonesias eastern regions. So far, consumers in these regions expected rice a lot from East Java and Central Java.

President Jokowi has previously set a target for Indonesia to become food self-reliant in the coming three years.

Food crops which become the target of food self-sufficiency included rice, maize and soybean.

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said the government has set the target for each of the food crops.

On rice for example, the government has set a target where production should reach 73 million tons this year.

"We set a target of 73 million tons of rice in 2015 and 20 million tons of maize in 2016," he said.
(Uu.A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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