April 25, 2024

Indonesia president hopeful of country's continual rise in corn production

Indonesia President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, expressed hopes that the country's corn production continues to increase along with the reduction of imports, as he inspected a corn harvest in Boalemo Regency, Gorontalo, on April 22.

"We want to ensure that our corn production continues to increase," said Jokowi in a video statement.

The president noted that Indonesia's corn imports have been reduced to 400,000-450,000 tonnes from an initial 3.5 million tonnes. In 2023, the government achieved 171,000 tonnes of corn imports out of the previously set quota of 250,000 tonnes of imported corn.

Apart from highlighting production, Jokowi also noted corn prices during his visit to Gorontalo. The government recorded that the corn prices last year could reach up to Rp8,000 (US$0.50) per kilogramme, but have now fallen to Rp4,000 - 5,000 (US$0.25-0.31).

Jokowi aims to boost both production and selling prices for corn farmers. Meanwhile, he believes that Bulog's corn imports need to be re-examined.

- Tempo.Co