Food reserves to be developed

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The government is to cultivate one million hectares across the country for food reserves, State Minister for Food Ibrahim Hasan has said.

"The food reserve program will start this year with the cultivation of 100 hectares. Next year, it will involve private companies," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

The program is meant to help ensure that no food shortages occur, especially during emergencies such as war or floods.

President Soeharto suggested the program, inspired by the time when guerrillas fighting the Dutch colonizers sustained themselves by edible forest plants.

The program, designed by the Office of the State Minister of Food and financed by the Reforestation Fund from the Ministry of Forestry, will be implemented by members of the Armed Forces in their civic capacities, he added. (swe)