REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The government would adjust import policy with availability of domestic rice. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution, said rice imports will be only from Vietnam.

Nasution admitted, the rice imports would depend on the condition of the season. If the drought continued, then the import will be done. Meanwhile, rice imports from Thailand will be canceled, because of the country's rice reserves have been depleted.

"We have commitment with Vietnam, not Thailand, because its rice has been slightly," he said, in a written statement, Tuesday (10/11).

After entering the rainy season, Darmin added, then the growing season will begin in November and it will be harvested to meet the needs from January to March next year.

In order to meet national food stocks and reserves, Bulog took farmers' rices in harvest time, at rice center. Ideally, Bulog took farmers' rices about 12 percent of consumption or around 3.5 million tonnes, and stocks at the end of the year about 1.5 million tons.

"If stocks and food reserves in Bulog are sufficient, then the import rice is not required," he added.

The Government through Ministry of Agriculture stated rice production was stable and sufficient to the end of 2015 until the harvest season in March 2016. Agriculture Minister, Andi Amran Sulaiman, said rices from Vietnam only served as a national reserve in anticipation of drought due to the El Nino.

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