Peat project best bet to boost rice production

Peat project best bet to boost rice production

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that changing peat bogs into rice fields is the best alternative available to support rice production.

"If such a project is not undertaken, Indonesia could become a major rice importer in the future," the President said while opening the forth congress of the Association of Indonesian Agronomists.

He said the program to boost rice production in conventional rice fields should also be enhanced to ensure Indonesia will be self-sufficient in rice.

Indonesia, which used to be the biggest rice importer in the world, became self-sufficient in 1984. Rice exports exceeded imports until 1993, but Indonesia has had to import rice since 1994.

In 1994, rice production fell to 46.6 million tons -- the lowest level in 15 years -- from 48.2 million tons in 1993.

The government is opening up one million hectares of peat bog in South Kalimantan.

The President said yesterday that the project is essential because much of the rice fields in major rice production areas in Java have been converted into industrial sites.

"If successful, a similar project will be carried out in other provinces," he told the 500 participants of the two-day congress.

Bambang Setiady, the chairman of the Indonesian Peat Society, said earlier that a successful peat project would help reduce imports of several important commodities, including soybean, corn and peanuts.

President Soeharto said yesterday that gaining self- sufficiency in the rice production is an important part of the government's development program.

If the program fails, Indonesia will have to import rice, he said. (hen)