Concerns are mounting over a controversial new law to bring across-the-board halal certification to Indonesia, as an unprepared government department and industry figures wonder how they will cope with its implementation.
Not long in office, Indonesian president Joko Widodo plans to grow rice production by 30% each year—a sum that is vitally necessary for the country to be self-sufficient in rice by 2017.
What began as outrage over phone bugging accusations has now escalated to the point that Indonesia revealed it was turning away from Australian food imports.
The US Agency for International Development has entered into a partnership with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to help address food security and conservation.
With indications suggesting that North Korea is in for a bleak harvest, Indonesia has announced it will send food aid worth US$2mn to the country in the hope of providing some relief.
