ID :
30945
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 19:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/30945
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GOVT STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT EXPORTING RICE IN 2009
Jakarta, Nov 18 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is still unable to decide whether or not rice can be exported next year, although national rice production in 2009 is predicted to increase, a spokesman said.
"It is conditional. Let us just wait and see whether or not we will export rice," Bayu Krisnamurthi, deputy for agricultural and fisheries affairs to the coordinating minister for economy, said here on Tuesday.
He said if conditions permitted, the government would do so, because if not, the domestic rice prices would drop.
"But if the situation at home remains uncertain next year, the government will not export rice," he said.
Asked about rice production next year, Krisnamurthi said it was predicted to be good as it had increased by five percent over the past two years.
"Rice production in the past two years grew by about five percent, and this is something spectacular because it has never happened before. Therefore, I am optimistic about our food situation, especially rice," he said.
Asked what the government would do in anticipation of a decline in agriculture commodity prices, Krisnamurthi said the government was preparing various regulations.
"Under the 2009 state budget there will be efforts to maintain food stability and cushion the impact of possible crises or price fluctuations," he said.
In the 2009 State Budget, some Rp1.5 trillion was set aside for efforts to stabilize domestic food prices and Rp10 trillion to cope with the impact of international food crises or price fluctuations, he said.
"It is conditional. Let us just wait and see whether or not we will export rice," Bayu Krisnamurthi, deputy for agricultural and fisheries affairs to the coordinating minister for economy, said here on Tuesday.
He said if conditions permitted, the government would do so, because if not, the domestic rice prices would drop.
"But if the situation at home remains uncertain next year, the government will not export rice," he said.
Asked about rice production next year, Krisnamurthi said it was predicted to be good as it had increased by five percent over the past two years.
"Rice production in the past two years grew by about five percent, and this is something spectacular because it has never happened before. Therefore, I am optimistic about our food situation, especially rice," he said.
Asked what the government would do in anticipation of a decline in agriculture commodity prices, Krisnamurthi said the government was preparing various regulations.
"Under the 2009 state budget there will be efforts to maintain food stability and cushion the impact of possible crises or price fluctuations," he said.
In the 2009 State Budget, some Rp1.5 trillion was set aside for efforts to stabilize domestic food prices and Rp10 trillion to cope with the impact of international food crises or price fluctuations, he said.
