Gorontalo,  – Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said the British-based “The Economy Intelligent Unit” has placed Indonesia the 16th country succeeding in creating sustainable agriculture.

“It is other countries that give the rating. What is worth noting is that Indonesia is given higher rating than the United States and China. That position is the best we ever have,” the minister said during his visit to Gorontalo on Monday.

He also said that at a recent meeting of Asian Agriculture Ministers in Thailand, Indonesia was honored with the first to deliver speech as they wanted to learn from Indonesia.

“There are ministers from three countries to visit Indonesia soon specially to learn from our success in reaching self sufficiency in corn supply,” he said.

That indicates that Indonesia is considered successful and it is important to show to the world that Indonesia no longer needs to import rice, onion, corn and chili, he added.

Under the previous government, Indonesia was a regular importer of the food commodities. Self sufficiency of food supply is one of the priorities of the present government.

“This is a history under the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) that Indonesia has regained self sufficiency in rice. It is already the third year and that we already export rice to six countries,” he said.

Stability has been created in chili market, and next years the government hopes to do the same with soybean, sugar and beef supply . This has to be done one by one, he said.

Hard work and determination are needed for success, he added.

The minister said he appreciated the cooperation between the Gorontalo governor Rusli Habibie and his subordinates heads of regencies to increase the province`s corn production.

He said the Agriculture Ministry provides sufficient assistance in seeds, fertilizers and farming machines .