Indonesia : East Kalimantan Ammonium Nitrate industry supports food productivity

According to the President, the development of the domestic ammonium nitrate industry is very important because Indonesia still imports 21 percent of the raw material for this fertilizer.

“I am happy that this factory is finished. "Later we can add raw materials for making fertilizer in the country, especially NPK," said President Jokowi when inaugurating the Kaltim Ammonium Nitrate factory in Bontang, Thursday.

With the operation of the factory, he said, Indonesia could reduce imports of ammonium nitrate by up to 8 percent.

The Head of State hopes that the ammonium nitrate industry with an investment value of IDR 1.2 trillion will help support national food independence.

President Jokowi then instructed the Ministry of BUMN to continue expanding business so that Indonesia could continue to substitute imported goods.

"This is not only a matter of ammonium nitrate but other products that we are still importing. "Everything must be produced domestically because we have the power to do that," he said.

The President also highlighted the global food crisis, which has triggered many countries to limit or even stop exports of food commodities.

"Right now, all countries - there are 22 countries where it is usually easy for us to buy rice, now all of them are slowing down , some have even stopped being able to buy rice. "This means that food in the future will be very important for all countries," he said.

At the inauguration event, President Jokowi was accompanied by Chairman of the Indonesian Presidential Advisory Council Wiranto, Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and Acting Governor of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik .