Plan To Import Rice Draws Criticism

Jakarta, July 25 (ANTARA) - Lawmaker of the Commission IV of the House of Representatives Ma`mur Hasanuddin criticized the government plan to import rice soon. The plan showed that the government lacks determination to maintain the country`s self sufficiency in the staple food, Hasanuddin said. Earlier, agriculture observer Bustanul Arifin said there was no reason for the government to import rice when surpluses have been recorded in some regions. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) forecast the country rice production would rise 4.3 percent this year giving the country a surplus of 5 million tons. Hasanuddin said the farmer have succeeded in boosting rice production and the Board of Logistics has no problem in raising stock from the farmers, but the trade ministry is planning imports, he said. Apparently, there is poor coordination among the economic ministers under Chief Economics Minister Hatta Rajasa, he said. Earlier Hatta said rice imports are still allowed to strengthen national stocks. This year rice imports quota is set at 1 million tons. Hasanuddin said the statement by the chief economics minister could discouraged rice growers. "It is ironical that we have to import rice when we have surplus in supply," he said here on Wednesday. He said rice procurement already reached 2.5 million tons by July nearing the target of 3 million tons for this year. Last year rice procurement from local farmers totaled only 1.9 million tons. "The government is often lacks sensitivity to prevailing condition," he said.