Govt Sets Up New Food Security Program

Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Oct 29 (Antara) - The central government has set up a new program to improve food security by cooperating with regional governments and the business world, according to President Yudhoyono. "I hope the program we create in Bukittinggi can be implemented in the next year, and I will explain about it to the next president," the president said during a limited coordination meeting on food security at Bung Hatta Palace here on Tuesday. He noted that among the problems in achieving food security was that as the population increases, the more the nation's food needs will increase. Therefore, President Yudhoyono said, a food security program should be balanced with a focus on increased production of food, as well as maintaining stable food prices. "The action plan that we make should be clear, with a definite agenda, as well. The plan only has ten pages, but it describes who does what and who will be responsible in its implementation," Yudhoyono said. Further, the president added that what the government would do in cooperation with regional governments and the business world would increase food production, stabilize food prices, and improve the infrastructure and transportation network for food distribution. "Therefore, we have short, medium, and long term plans as part of our effort to attain food security," the president said.