Susilo defends rice import policy<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono defended on Friday the
\ngovernment's rice import policy, appealing to the public to
\nunderstand that it was a move to prevent supply shortages.<\/p>\n
\"Please understand that the importation of rice will not be
\ndistributed on the market under normal conditions. It is so that
\nwe'll be prepared for any shortage or natural disaster which
\ncould disrupt the supplies, and for poor people,\" said Susilo in
\na ceremony.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Trade issued in October a decision that gives
\nthe state's commodity regulator, PT Bulog the authority to import
\n250,000 tons of rice from Vietnam from November to January.<\/p>\n
\"Let's not misunderstand the policy. It is for our food safety
\nand it is used only for our stocks. The government is responsible
\nto ensure that the country has enough supply of rice,\" said
\nSusilo.<\/p>\n
The plan has sparked protests from some farmers and some
\nlegislators, who urged the government to cancel the plan because
\nit could lower the prices of rice throughout the country, which
\ncould then lower the profitability of the farmers and other
\nagribusiness groups. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/susilo-defends-rice-import-policy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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