President Jokowi Tells Agriculture Minister to Start Rice Export Next Year

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 4 Desember 2019
Category: News
Read: 353 Views

Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo delivers a press statement after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/4). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has instructed Minister of Agriculture Syahril Yasin Limpo to start exporting rice next year.

For the record, the Government has 4,776,000 tons of rice stock despite a deficit between national rice production and consumption in November and December.

According to Syahril, regarding preparation to export rice, Ministry of Agriculture will take several steps starting from seedlings, land preparation, irrigation, so the quality of rice to be exported is on par with that from other countries.

“We have to use trade diplomacy and trade agriculture and I am confident that I will be able to carry out the President’s instruction,” Syahrul said, adding that as many as 100,000 tons up to 500,000 tons of rice will be exported next year.

The Minister added that March and April next year will see the peak of the harvest season with rice production expected to reach more than 4,255,000 tons of rice.

“Therefore, if rice stocks in March alone reach 6,752,000 tons and the consumption is 2,400,000 tons every month, we will have an overstock of rice at 6,800,000 tons,” Syahrul said.

The Minister also ensured rice stocks and food security ahead of Christmas and New Year this year, including those stored in at the warehouse of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), trade warehouses, and in markets with the total amount reaching approximately 4.7 million tons. (TGH/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas

Latest News