VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The rice consumption of the Indonesian people per capita annually is still quite high compared to several ASEAN member countries. According to data from the World Food and Agriculture Organization Economic Cooperation and Development, in 2018, Indonesia's annual rice consumption per capita reached 135 kilograms, higher than the Philippines (115 kg), Thailand (99 kg), and Malaysia (81 kg). Therefore, rice has always been a top priority in Indonesian government policies, especially related to trade and agriculture. In 2020, rice consumption was still recorded at above 90 kilograms per person annually. The high need for this staple food requires the Indonesian government to pay special attention to its availability.

To guarantee the stock in 2021, the government will import 1 million tons of rice, through the state-owned General Logistics Company -Bulog. Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto at the Ministry of Trade's Working Meeting last Thursday (4/3) said that maintaining the availability of rice in the country is an important thing to do so that prices can remain under control.

The government will implement two policies for the provision of domestic rice, following the rice social assistance program during the pandemic and enactment of the Regulation on Restricting Community Activities. First, the government will import 500,000 tons of rice for the Rice Reserve and another 500,000 tons according to Bulog's needs. Second, implementing the absorption of unhulled rice by Bulog with a target equal to 900,000 tons of rice during the main harvest in March-May 2021, and 500,000 tons in June-September 2021.

To reduce rice consumption, especially imported rice, the Ministry of Agriculture is targeting the national level of rice consumption to fall by 7 percent to 85 kilograms per capita in a year by 2024. With a population of 270 million people the decrease in rice consumption is equivalent to 1.77 million tons. To reduce rice consumption, food diversification is the right choice. Because it can anticipate crises, provide alternative food, drive the economy and create healthy human resources. Currently, every province in Indonesia is focused on producing local carbohydrate sources other than rice. There are at least six food commodities which production is encouraged, such as cassava, corn, sago, banana, potato and sorghum.

Batu Angus in Ternate City

Batu Angus is which one of the main tourism objects in North Maluku Province is located about 10 kilometers from Ternate City. It is the most popular tourist attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Tourists visiting Ternate will definitely visit Batu Angus. This tourist attraction can be reached by taxi. Arriving at the location, you still have to walk around 200 meters to arrive at Batu Angus.

Batu Angus is a stretch of rocks that looks like burnt ones. The expanse of rocks stretches from the foot of Mount Gamalama to the coast. These rocks are remnants of the eruption of Mount Gamalama in the 17th century. The lava that had turned into rocks looks like burnt ones. Therefore, the local people call it Batu Angus. In the area of Batu Angus, there is also an historical site where the death of a Japanese soldier whose parachute did not open normally after jumping from an airplane in World War II.

This interesting view of Batu Angus is a special attraction for tourists. Most tourists capture this unique sight. In addition to taking pictures, those of you who come to Batu Angus can also watch and enjoy the green view of Mount Gamalama, a stretch of sea and also Halmahera Island which can be seen from a height in the Batu Angus area. At the 10-hectare location, you can camp while waiting for a beautiful sunset view. Unfortunately, there are no restaurants at the location of this tourism attraction. Thus, you have to bring your own food supplies.

The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey keeps on promoting Indonesian tourism online by disseminating information related to excellent destinations in the country, although the time for re-admission of foreign tourists has not been known yet. The Indonesian Embassy in a written statement in Jakarta on Sunday (28/2) stated that the embassy participated in the Izmir Tourism Fair and Festival which was held virtually on 25-27 February 2021, in which the Indonesian Embassy facilitated a business meeting between Indonesian and Turkish tourism actors.

The embassy also stated that the tourism promotion carried out is a preparation for reopening Indonesian tourism which is currently focusing on the Covid-19 pandemic mitigation. Therefore, he hopes that if the tourism activities can return to normal, Indonesia will be on Turkish tourism destinations target.

Besides promoting the tourism destinations of Indonesia, the tourism promotion is also carried out to disseminate information regarding health protocols that the Indonesian government has prepared to welcome a new era of tourism. In the exhibition, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara prepared a virtual booth that presented digital content of Indonesian tourism for visitors. It also delivered a presentation at the main exhibition forum regarding the preparation of the health protocols based on Cleanliness, Health, Security and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) in Indonesia. To further encourage the promotion of Indonesian tourism among Turkish tourists, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara also utilized social media platforms and content creators or influencers.

Lake Shuji Muara Enim

This tourism attraction is good for you to enjoy natural tourism, fishing and culinary hobbies. The location is in Lembak Village, Lembak Muara Enim sub-district, South Sumatra, about 70 kilometers from Palembang City. This lake can be reached by motor vehicles about 90 minutes from the hub city of Palembang.

It has an area of 60 x 400 square meters and it is in the middle of a rubber plantation owned by residents. This lake was once the location of a soup kitchen for Japanese troops which was only 1 kilometer from the Japanese troops airport. To commemorate that time, there is a statue of a soldier wearing Japanese army nobility cloth outside the entrance gate of the location of the lake.

To enter Lake Shuji, you have to pay an entrance ticket about Rp5,000/person and a parking fee about Rp5,000 for a car and Rp3,000 for a motorcycle. Lake Shuji has beautiful natural scenery; you can enjoy the beauty of the lake and a row of gazebos or unique huts there. The gazebo was built on the edge of Lake Shuji. The air is quite cool. You can go along the Shuji Lake by boat. This activity is very fun. For those of you who want to enjoy the freshness of Lake Shuji's water, you can swim in the lake.

It seems that it is incomplete to travel to Lake Shuji if you haven't captured it by taking pictures at beautiful spots in this tourism location. Lake Shuji has many instagrammable photo spots. Being a popular tourism location in Palembang, Lake Shuji is also equipped with various tourism facilities, such as parking areas, toilets, prayer rooms, gazebos, huts, and food stalls.