Current rice stocks reach 2.7m tons<\/p>\n
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Domestic rice procurements by the
\nState Logistics Agency (Bulog) have reached 1.2 million tons,
\nbringing the country's total rice stock to 2.7 million tons, an
\nofficial says.<\/p>\n
Bulog's deputy for supervision, Irfansyah, said he is
\noptimistic that although stocks from domestic procurements now
\nreach only 1.2 million tons, the agency will be able to achieve
\nthe procurement target of two millions tons for the current
\n1996\/1997 fiscal year, which ends next March.<\/p>\n
Irfansyah said that Indonesia's current rice stocks of 2.7
\nmillion tons -- of which some 1.5 million tons are derived from
\nimports -- is enough to guarantee food security until the
\nupcoming general elections in 1997.<\/p>\n
He said the agency plans to buy more rice from local farmers
\nin the next few months as major harvests in South Sulawesi are
\nexpected to take place in September, during which 100,000 to
\n200,000 tons of rice will be harvested.<\/p>\n
\"By the end of this year, domestic procurement is expected to
\nreach 1.5 million tons. I am optimistic this can be achieved,
\nespecially with the start of the government's one-million-hectare
\nrice field megaproject,\" Irfansyah said.<\/p>\n
Under the megaproject, one million hectares of peat land in
\nCentral Kalimantan will be converted into agricultural land, most
\nof which will become rice fields.<\/p>\n
Irfansyah said that small parts of the megaproject can start
\nharvesting their first crop this year.<\/p>\n
Bulog chairman Beddu Amang said earlier this year the
\ncountry's accumulated rice stock is expected to reach four
\nmillion tons by the end of this year, of which some 1.8 million
\ntons will be used to cater to the needs of public servants and
\nArmed Forces personnel.<\/p>\n
Bulog, which was established in 1967, is charged with
\nmaintaining the price stability of basic food commodities such as
\nrice, sugar and flour, through buffer-stocking and market
\ninterventions.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, a significant rice producer, turned to imports in
\nlate 1994 after adverse weather conditions hit domestic harvests.
\nThe country first reached self-sufficiency in rice in 1984.<\/p>\n
Last year, Indonesia produced 49 million tons of unhusked
\nrice, compared to 46.4 million tons in 1994 and 48.14 million
\ntons in 1993. (har\/pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/current-rice-stocks-reach-27m-tons-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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