REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped Indonesia would achieve self-sufficiency in the production of food in the near future with the support of all involved parties.

"The government has decided to make a plan of action, called the 'Bukittinggi Action Plan', which will be implemented starting this year. This is an acceleration program, in addition to the already existing policies," the president said when speaking at the World Food Day commemoration here on Thursday.

He said he believes that food self-sufficiency could be achieved by the government with the support of regional administrations, the private sector and NGOs.

"We are optimistic that Indonesia will be self-sufficient in food in the years ahead. This is crucial because the population will increase to 250 million and the size of the middle class will go up from 50 million to 130 million by 2030," he stated.

The national celebration of World Food Day was participated in by FAO Representative Dr Mustafa Amir, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Agriculture Minister Suswono, and West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno.

Several awards were presented to officials, individuals and groups considered to have made significant contributions to the national food security program.

After the event, President Yudhoyono and entourage were scheduled to return to Jakarta following a four-day visit to West Sumatra.

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