N. Sumatra sets higher target for corn production this year
Sat, February 22 2014 21:31 | 718 Views
Photo document of farmers sort of yellow maize cornyields. (ANTARA/Aguk Sudarmojo)
Medan (ANTARA News) - North Sumatra sets target for corn production at 1,628,149 tons this year, up from last years target of 1,494,050 tons.
"Last year production reached only 1,71,067 tons or far short of the target. But this year we are set to reach the target," head of the regional agriculture office M. Roem.S said here on Saturday.
The target is based on assumption that this year harvest areas would total 304,744 hectares with productivity of 53.43 quintal per ton.
This year, corn plantation is expected to reach 310,963 hectares in North Sumatra, he said.
"All problems last year such as extreme weather, are not expected to happen this year," he said, adding "therefore, we are convinced the production target could be reached."
He said we strongly hope that the target could be reached as corn consumption has increased in the province from year to year.
Demand has continued to increase especially from animal feed producers, he said.
He said production has always fallen short of requirement that animal feed factories have to rely more on imports for corn.
So far imports have come mainly from India, he said.
A corn grower Dirman, in Tanjung Morawa, Deliserdang, said the price of corn grain is quite good lately around Rp3,500 per kilogram.
N. Sumatra sets higher target for corn production this year - ANTARA News
Indonesia has come out of difficult times: Finance minister
Sat, February 22 2014 00:16 | 928 Views
Finance Minister Chatib Basri (ANTARA FOTO/Fanny Octavianus)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias economy has already emerged out of a difficult time caused by domestic factors and global economic fluctuations after a number of policies were issued to tackle the problems, stated Finance Minister Chatib Basri.
"The current account deficit and inflation rate have reduced, while the rupiah exchange rate has shown a rising trend, and the economic growth remains quite high," he noted in a press statement at the Indonesian Embassy in Australia, received here on Friday.
Chatib Basri issued the statement while delivering a general lecture at the Australian National University in Canberra, which was attended by more than 200 people.
Apart from this achievement, the minister emphasized that in the long term, Indonesia must take serious efforts to improve its human resources, infrastructure, and state institutions in order to transform itself from a middle-income to an advanced country.
With regard to the countrys relations with Australia, he remarked that the two countries have a huge potential to build economic partnership and play an important role in the world economy.
The minister noted that Indonesia still needs to invest in the field of human resource development in order to boost economic transformation.
"Human resources, infrastructure, and institutional improvement are three key areas, which have to be addressed to assure continued growth," he claimed.
Chatib Basri is in Australia to attend the meeting of the finance minister and central bankers of the G-20 countries scheduled to be held in Sydney, on February 22-23.
At the lecture organized by the Indonesian Embassy, the minister shed light on the progress achieved in various areas by the country and also responded to queries raised on various latest economic issues.(*)
Editor: Heru
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Indonesia has come out of difficult times: Finance minister - ANTARA News