Bulog to avoid rice imports: Beddu Amang<\/p>\n
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Chief of the National Logistics
\nAgency (Bulog) Beddu Amang asserted yesterday that starting in
\nthe upcoming 1996\/97 fiscal year, Indonesia will sign no
\ncontracts for rice imports.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after a seminar on agriculture, Beddu
\nsaid the decision was meant to spur Indonesia to reach self-
\nsufficiency in rice.<\/p>\n
\"We have made a commitment not to rely on world rice supplies,
\nwhich are sold in a very thin market with 12 to 14 million tons
\nof rice a year,\" he told The Jakarta Post. Indonesia, he said,
\nneeds up to 30 million tons a year.<\/p>\n
Beddu said that though Indonesia was presently still receiving
\nrice imports, the orders were based on contracts signed last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Indonesia used to be the biggest rice importer in the world,
\nbut became self-sufficient in 1984. Rice exports exceeded imports
\nuntil 1993, but the country has had to rely partly on imports
\nsince then.<\/p>\n
In 1994, rice production fell to 46.6 million tons -- the
\nlowest level in 15 years -- from 48.2 million tons in 1993. The
\ndecline was caused by unfavorable weather and plant diseases.<\/p>\n
To prevent further rice shortages from reoccurring this year,
\nBulog last year signed contracts for huge rice imports. But rice
\nharvests across the country for the current season -- which is
\nexpected to peak next month -- have unexpectedly shown favorable
\nresults.<\/p>\n
Bulog, which is responsible for keeping rice prices at a
\nstable level, is now burdened with procuring and storing rice
\nfrom farmers on the one hand, and storing the huge imports on the
\nother.<\/p>\n
Beddu said yesterday Indonesia will continue its efforts to
\nbalance rice production with the increase in consumption, which
\nis currently rising by 2 percent a year due to population and
\nincome growth.<\/p>\n
\"We are optimistic that we can achieve self-sufficiency in
\nrice through various means, such as by using high-quality rice
\nseeds, improving fertilizer distribution and opening up new rice
\nestates outside Java,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about reports of rotten rice imported from Thailand,
\nBeddu said 1,000 tons have been returned from the 12,000 tons
\nimported. He pointed out that the deterioration was caused solely
\nby leaks in the cargo vessels, making it the responsibility of
\nthe shipping lines to cover the losses.<\/p>\n
Beddu said Bulog's procurement of rice from farmers has so far
\nreached 30 to 50 percent of its target of two million tons for
\nthis harvesting season. The procurement, which is designed to
\nprevent rice prices from falling below their floor prices, is
\nexpected to reach 100 percent in May, after rice harvests reach
\ntheir peak.<\/p>\n
He said that the low level of rice procurement is caused by
\nfavorable prices on the market, which is making farmers reluctant
\nto sell their crops to the agency. The government recently
\nstipulated Rp 480 per kg (20 U.S. cents) as the floor price for
\nunhusked rice. (har\/pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bulog-to-avoid-rice-imports-beddu-amang-1447893297",
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