Minister Of Agriculture: Indonesia No Longer Imports Corn, Except For Industry

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo revealed, Indonesia actually no longer imports corn, other than for industrial raw materials such as sweeteners and others.

"I want to convey that it is not only rice that we (Indonesia) have actually stopped importing, but also corn, except those related to industrial needs including sweeteners and others have been explained," said Minister of Agriculture Syahrul as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 1.

Syahrul added, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered ministers to increase corn production, both for raw materials, post-harvest products, including those that have gone through the cultivation process.

The increase in production is through land intensification and land extensification.

As for post-harvest production, said Syahrul, it will make several efforts, such as building post-harvest support facilities such as silos and dryers.

"So, of course, toxins (poisons) and others can be reduced, so that the water content is above 20 percent, the water content can be 14 percent, so it is very suitable for the market or in the industry," he said.

Corn production currently in Indonesia is above 18 million tons. Syahrul said corn production will continue to be increased to meet domestic needs, including industry. After that, the government will also increase corn exports.

"I see that in 100 days from now, if we work hard, including the order of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (Airlangga Hartarto) to prepare farmer groups and land intensification and more specifically extensification will be addressed, and I hope this concept will be addressed, God willing, in one or two days. week we will prepare it, "said Syahrul.

On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government would encourage corn production in new lands in Papua, West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku and North Kalimantan.

"With a total land area of 141,000 hectares, and 86,000 hectares is new land," said Airlangga.