JAKARTA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government plans to purchase more rice from farmers in 2025 to enhance their welfare and ensure food security, a minister said on Monday.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said that the volume of rice purchases would increase from 2 million tons this year to 2.5 million tons next year.
The rice will be stored in warehouses as a state reserve to bolster efforts towards achieving greater self-sufficiency.
Hasan noted that the government's support for growers' products remains strong, with the latest plan of increasing rice purchases by half a million tons.
The Indonesian government has set a target for rice production next year of 32 million tons, with plans to avoid imports. ■