Indonesia may have a rice surplus of up to 12 million tons by 2014, if annual surplus target of 4 million tons starting this year could be realized, Minister of Agriculture Suswono said.
He said that this would exceed the 10 million surplus target set by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
“Our (2014) rice surplus target is 10 million tons. We only have three years left, meaning that the surplus each year must not less than 4 million tons. If our calculation is correct, and there are no disturbances, God Willing, in 2014, the (rice) surplus could reach 12 million tons,” he was quoted by Investor Daily on Wednesday as saying.
He said that efforts to meet the target include increasing productivity and the opening up of new rice fields. (rei)
