Rini to regulate rice imports<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M.S. Soewandi is planning to
\nregulate rice imports in a bid to avoid a domestic oversupply
\namid the current harvest season.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, rice imports can only enter the country
\nthrough designated seaports.<\/p>\n
Rini disclosed the plan during a hearing session with the
\nHouse of Representatives Commission V on industry and trade
\naffairs late last week.<\/p>\n
She said that one of the options being considered was to limit
\nrice imports only in non-producing areas.<\/p>\n
"We are now in talks with relevant officials," she told
\nlawmakers.<\/p>\n
Currently, rice can enter the country via any seaport.<\/p>\n
The price of unhusked rice has dropped to around Rp 800 per
\nkilogram recently, compared to the government's target of Rp
\n1,095 per kg. Many said that the drop was mainly due to the
\ninflux of cheaper imported rice.<\/p>\n
As the harvest season has begun, the fall in price would hurt
\nthe income of local farmers.<\/p>\n
There have been growing calls for the government to take
\nimmediate steps, including demands for a temporary ban on rice
\nimports, to protect local farmers.<\/p>\n
While Rini was against such move previously, she now says that
\na temporary ban could also be considered as an option, if the
\nsupply from local farmers could meet domestic demand.<\/p>\n
The country's rice output is expected to reach about 32
\nmillion tons.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rini-to-regulate-rice-imports-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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