NDONESIA TO STOP IMPORT OF SHALLOTS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, June 30 (Antara) - Shallot is one of the important commodities in the country and is much needed for household consumption, which is why scarcity in stocks often trigger price instability. Scarcity is often met with imports.         However, the government is now determined to encourage the development of shallot plantations to meet the domestic needs and to stop importing the commodity.     Currently, the trade minister and the agriculture minister have continued to push farmers to independently plant and cultivate shallots.     According to Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Indonesia will, in the near future, stop importing red onions, considering the success of its previous experience when it was trying to free itself from depending on foreign agricultural products by halting its carrot imports several years ago.         "In the past, farmers were afraid of cultivating carrot. But now, our domestic carrots are of good quality and are relatively competent, though the prices are a bit higher. Therefore, farmers need not be afraid of planting shallots as we can open market shallots. Indeed, our farmers have simple thoughts. If the price of their plantation commodities is high and they have market, they can diligently plant them," the trade minister said.