ID Food, Govt Discuss Plan to Export Rice to China

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director of state-owned food holding firm ID Food Frans Marganda Tambunan on Monday said the company is currently discussing plans to export rice together with the Agriculture Ministry to break into the Chinese market. 

"The goal is to China. About a month ago we did speak with the Ministry of Agriculture," said Frans at the office of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) on Monday, August 22.

However, he said that the food holding is still waiting for the continuation of the rice shipment plan from the Ministry of Agriculture. In particular, regarding the implementation time and the types of varieties to be exported.

In parallel, in preparations for exports, ID Food seeks to increase domestic rice yields. Frans explained that ID Food is strengthening the agricultural ecosystem that integrates farmers with stakeholders through the Prosperous Program run by Agro Solution that was initiated by PT Pupuk Indonesia.

Frans said the only way to improve the welfare of farmers is not by expanding the land, but rather increasing productivity. A mentoring program by the holding firm is a strategic way that is considered capable of boosting productivity in addition to increasing the guarantee for the purchase of farmers' crops.

Previously, the Head of the Agriculture Ministry’s Public Relations and Public Information Bureau, Kuntoro Boga Andri, stated that Indonesia's rice supply was sufficient and had the potential for exports.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI 

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News