Farmers Association Renews Call for Halt to Food Imports

"We are an agrarian state, but why must we import salt, not to mention other commodities, such as corn, rice, fish and meat," HKTI Chairman Prabowo Subianto said here on Sunday.

As an agrarian state, Indonesia must be able to meet domestic food needs on its own, he said.

Therefore, he added that the government must make every effort to improve the living standard of farmers to enable them to grow and make progress.

"By doing so, this nation will no longer import food stuffs to meet domestic needs. If the government is able to empower farmers the problem will not emerge," he said.

The problem is a homework for the nation to increase local food production and stop food imports, he said.

He said the association has urged the government to stop food imports and empower local farmers.

"It is for the government to empower local farmers optimally," he said.

After all, he added that HKTI appreciates the government which has begun to implement policies in farmers' favor.

"HKTI warmly welcomes the policies and hopes they could be continued," he said.

Asked to comment on the rising number of state officials and party leaders involved in graft-tainted food import cases, he said the matter indicates improving performance on the part of law-enforcing agencies.

"We are concerned about the matter. However, we also support the government's programs to uphold the law," he said.

Pewarta : Sumarwoto
Editor: Zaenal A.
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