ID :
15469
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 15:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/15469
The shortlink copeid
VP EXPECTS RI TO BE RICE EXPORTER IN 2009
Makassar, S Sulawesi, Aug 10 (ANTARA) - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla expects Indonesia to become a rice exporting nation by 2009.
"In 2007, we were a rice importing nation. In 2008, we are self-sufficient in rice. And in 2009, God willing, we will become a rice exporting nation," he said at a get-together with farmers and fishermen in Barru district, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.
On the occasion, the vice president also launched South Sulawesi's targets of a rice surplus of 2 million tons and a corn surplus of 1.5 million tons by 2009 and cow production of 1 million heads and cocoa production of 33,000 tons by 2013.
To achieve the targets, the government would meet all the farmers' needs for seeds, fertilizers, banking loans and irrigation networks, he said.
"In the past, we sometimes begged other countries for rice, sugar and corn. In the upcoming years, we will assist them," he said.
He also said an advanced nation was the one that was able to meet its people's basic necessaries.
Indonesia had frequently been branded as an unable nation and this was not totally unfounded, he said.
"We are an able nation. You are excellent farmers. Are you ready to become national heroes?," he asked.
"In 2007, we were a rice importing nation. In 2008, we are self-sufficient in rice. And in 2009, God willing, we will become a rice exporting nation," he said at a get-together with farmers and fishermen in Barru district, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.
On the occasion, the vice president also launched South Sulawesi's targets of a rice surplus of 2 million tons and a corn surplus of 1.5 million tons by 2009 and cow production of 1 million heads and cocoa production of 33,000 tons by 2013.
To achieve the targets, the government would meet all the farmers' needs for seeds, fertilizers, banking loans and irrigation networks, he said.
"In the past, we sometimes begged other countries for rice, sugar and corn. In the upcoming years, we will assist them," he said.
He also said an advanced nation was the one that was able to meet its people's basic necessaries.
Indonesia had frequently been branded as an unable nation and this was not totally unfounded, he said.
"We are an able nation. You are excellent farmers. Are you ready to become national heroes?," he asked.
