The level of fruit and
vegetable consumption in Indonesia is low. While in fact, it is important
because it can reduce death risk. One of the reasons of low fruit and vegetable
consumption in Indonesia is public concern over the risk of pesticide
contamination. If fruits and vegetables are washed property, the pesticides
found in fruits and vegetable will fall out, so it is safe for consumption.
Pesticides can be diluted with water. So, washing fruits and vegetables can
remove the pesticides from the fruits and vegetables.
Meanwhile, to increase fruit consumption, the Ministry of
Agriculture encouraged investors to invest in the horticulture sector. Domestic
production increase is also necessary for the welfare of farmers. Director
General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Hassanuddin Ibrahim, in
Jakarta, on Tuesday (October 2014), said that in addition to encouraging
investment and consumption of fruits and vegetables, he also said that there
were some efforts made by the Ministry of Agriculture to improve productivity.
For fruits, he added, the Ministry of Agriculture
distributed superior quality tree seeds freely to farmers in all regions in
accordance with the agro-climate. Then, multiply the seasonal fruits, such as
papaya, banana, melon, watermelon, pineapple, that produce fruits throughout
the year. The importance of increasing seasonal fruit production, Hasanuddin
continued, is to anticipate the availability of annual seasonal fruits, such as
durian, mango, rambutan, mangosteen, and others. And, for vegetables, he said,
it would develop environmentally friendly urban farming and tech farmers how to
grow vegetables.
However, he continued, independence of farmers and
regions in the horticulture sector is not only met through productivity of
vegetables. However, farmers also need to independently develop other
supporting factors such, such as pesticides, horticulture clinics, seed system
and organic fertilizer. In terms of land, Hasanuddin said, horticulture did not
need a large area, such as food crops or plantations. Yet however, the Ministry
of Agriculture still asked for a guarantee of availability of land from the
local government.
Hasanuddin considered that the rate of fruit and
vegetable consumption by the Indonesia society is still far short of the ideal
figure set by the world food agency (Food and Agriculture Organization/FAO). In
fact, Indonesia is a large producer of a variety of fruit and vegetables. It is
said that this potential not yet correlates with the consumption level because it
not yet fulfills the requirement of the world food agency. He said that FAO
requires the consumption of fruits and vegetables ideally at 65.75 kg per
capita per year. Meanwhile, fruits and vegetable consumption in Indonesia is
only 40 kg per capita per year.
And, compared to some neighboring countries, the level of
vegetable consumption in Indonesia lags far behind. In Singapore, for example,
the level of vegetable consumption has reached 120 kg/capita/year, well above
the FAO recommendation. In China, the rate is even higher, reaching 270
kg/capita/year. While, in Cambodia and Vietnam at 109 kg/capita/year and 85
kg/capita/year, respectively. Therefore, he asserted that increase of fruit and
vegetable consumption in Indonesia is very important. Because directly or
indirectly, horticulture sector is part of four successful agricultural
development programs for the next five years, which is included in food
diversification program.
To further develop and promote Indonesian horticultural
commodities, he said, there should be a revamping of trading system and
marketing system. Development or horticultural commodities is also strongly
influenced by demand and change in consumer tastes, both at home and abroad. He
reminded that competition in horticultural commodities is very tight, both in
the domestic and global markets. Therefore, there should be an increase of
competitiveness and reputation of horticultural products. (E)
Business News - October 17, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment