June 24, 2004

Indonesia May Gradually Cease Corn Imports
 

Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri said on Wednesday that the country should cease importing corn gradually, while increasing its domestic production of the commodity to meet local and overseas demand.

Presently corn was being produced mainly to meet animal breeders' demand for fodder. Megawati noted this during a visit to Gorontalo province where she provided Rp 357 billion worth of assistance to the provincial administration and people.

Indonesia produced about 10 million tons of corn in 2003. The volume was expected to increase to 11.6 million tons in 2004, she said.