Hasil Sembiring. Director-General for Food Plants
Corn is high in nutrition!

Until the 1980s, many Indonesians, particularly those in the eastern regions, consumed non-rice products as their staple food, such as corn, assorted tubers and sago. But since the government implented its 'green revolution' program during the 1980s, rice seems to have pushed aside all other staples. Rice cultivation everywhere was intensified. According to the Agriculture Ministry's Director-General of Food Plants Hasil Sembiring, rice consumption at that time was about 152 kilogram per capita per year.

But later, the situation changed. Rice production failed to meet demand, spurring the government to accelerate its food diversification program. About two to three years ago, rice consumption declined to 124 kilogram per capita per year. "I believe the numbers will continue to go down, given that people nowadays are eating less fried rice for breakfast," said Hasil.

November 3, 2015