Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said on December 14th that the government will spent Rp 1.7 trillions in 2012 to open 100,000 hectares of lands for rice fields, committed to realize its 10 million tons of rice surplus goal in 2014.
"This new fields should produce additional 3.3 million tons of rice husks," he said, adding that the new fields should start their production in 2013.
Agriculture Minister Suswono had also signed a deal with 34 Indonesian regents and representatives earlier this week to open 50,000 hectares of lands in their area, expecting to turn them into producing rice fields in 2013. (eaz)
