National

Government To Build 100 Rice Barns
Saturday, 10 December, 2005 | 14:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian government is to build rice barns in 100 regencies throughout Indonesia in order to prevent starvation as is happening in Yahokimo regency, Papua.

Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono made this statement at the State Palace on Friday (09/12).

Aside from reviving the rice barns, the government will also build independent villages (independent in supplying food). “This has been included in our program. But, as Indonesia is vast, we are not yet able to put up all the barns needed, particularly in the areas that are experiencing a lack of food,” stated Apriyantono.

To build the rice barns, the Indonesian agricultural department has prepared a map of regions that will likely experience a lack of food at the provincial level. “Later on, we will be able to identify the regencies and cities that lack food at the provincial level,” stated Apriyantono.

The criteria of the regions in which the rice barns are to be built has been decided. Regarding the funds, Apriyantono said, the government would carry out many efforts without considering funds as a problem.
(Sunariah-Tempo News Room)