Food reserves to be developed

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)