Jakarta, Oct. 29 -- The Indonesian government plans to begin exporting modified cassava flour (mocaf) to expand markets and capitalize on rising cassava prices for domestic farmers.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said in Jakarta on Wednesday (Oct 28) that the government is pursuing export opportunities following President Prabowo Subianto's directive to halt cassava imports to protect local farmers.

According to Amran, the import ban was introduced after authorities received reports that farm-gate cassava prices had fallen to as low as Rp700 per kilogram.

He said the policy had proven effective, with prices rising to around Rp3,000 (around US$0.18) per kilogram, based on his discussions with farmers in Lampung on Sunday (O...