Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The government will continue to import rice from friendly countries this year to meet domestic need for the staple, an Agriculture Ministry official said.

"We are committed to importing rice in an effort to meet our domestic food needs," Director of Cereals at the Agriculture Ministry Siwi Purwanto said here Wednesday.

Domestic rice consumption now was estimated at 33 million tons per year while rice production stood at 32 million tons, he said.

"Food is a very sensitive issue as a food shortage may disrupt the political stability, economic stability and security stability. That`s why we had better import it to be assured of a sufficient stock," he said.

Rice is the main staple in the country with a population of more than 230 million.

Indonesia has so far been importing rice from Vietnam and Thailand.(*)