Indonesia was once well known as a country which is capable of taking
care of its people through food self-sufficiency. Staple food and rice are
abundant, and therefore this country received numerous awards. It has not been
a long time, about two decades ago when the agricultural sector has an
important position in development. Now, the conditions are different. Indonesia
is now better known as a net importer of food, including rice. This situation
is caused by many things, ranging from the shrinking of agricultural land,
decrease of productivity, uncertain climate, and pest attacks.
In the last five years, there have been three food crisis that hit the
world. The first occurred
In 2007-2008 when the El Nino causes drought and failed harvests in
Argentina and Australia which was followed by the economic and political
crisis, and in 2010 there was a drought that hit Russia. These two crisis led
to rise in wheat prices. In 2012, North America experience drought and soybean
prices started to rise along with corn prices that started to creep up. Under
conditions of global food security which is vulnerable due to global food
security which is vulnerable due to climate change, Indonesia’s food security
policy should be further enhanced.
However, what is happening now is just the opposite. Food
self-sufficiency program is far from the outreach and food self-sufficiency
proclaimed for 2014 was doomed to fail. Economist, Latif Adam, in Jakarta on
Monday (4/23), said that target of food self-sufficiency by 2014 is rather
difficult to realize if there is no incentive for farmers who are the backbone
of the domestic food supply. It is said that the backbone of food security is
farmers. However, they are always in a difficult position, especially if
related to domestic food prices.
Latif sees that farmers often do not receive huge profits despite high
rise of domestic food prices. On the other hand, when food prices are
considered too high and harming consumers, policy taken by the government also
does not favor the interests of farmers. According to him, the government
should provide incentives to farmers because they are the most involved in the
national food production and security by giving favorable prices to farmers.
However, Latif admitted that on the other hand, the government if often in a
difficult position in implementing policy. The government should think of
consumers and farmers, but also have to realize the targets set.
Although it is difficult to realize target of food self-sufficiency by
2014, Latif said that food self-sufficiency should be achieved for the sake of
national food security. Therefore, he suggested the government to prioritize
pro-farmer policy. He said that Indonesia also needs to encourage a global
commitment to support efforts to increase food security in all countries.
Indonesia’s food security policy should at least be in line with the thinking
of the Founding Father as contained in Sukarno’s speech, which reads that “The
life and death of the Indonesian nation depends on how we manage food to be
sovereign and independent in food security.”
He explained that from the beginning, SBY administration has made rice
as a sign of success. It is set that at the end of his term in 2014, there will
be 10 million tons of rice as food reserve. To achieve the target, the
government implemented two strategies, namely increase of rice production and
reduction of rice consumption. Production is increased with the approach of irrigation
infrastructure improvements, revitalization of elucidators and use of quality
seed (hybrid). While, reduction of consumption is by food diversification
program approach. There is nothing wrong with those targets if it is balanced
with the right strategy and approach. (E)
Business News - May 01,2013
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