Andri Setyawan, Jakarta – The Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) has welcomed the government's measure in extending the ban on rice imports.

"It's good. I hope this is followed by government measures to increase rice production," Siswono Yudohusodo, HKTI advisor, told Tempo yesterday (11/7).

He stated that Indonesia has the opportunity of becoming a rice exporting country. Around four million hectares of marshy valleys throughout Indonesia have the potential to be turned into paddy fields.

According to Yudohusodo, the reserves at Bulog (the State Logistics Agency), which are less than one million tons, are inadequate to be a reason for the need of importing rice.