Indonesian Government Urged to Anticipate Food Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Legislator Hermanto has called on the Indonesian government to take immediate action to address the growing food crisis in the country. The Padang member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Electoral District I of West Sumatra warned that the signs of a food crisis are already being felt, citing factors such as land conversion, climate change, and rising imports of food products. Hermanto emphasized the need for the government to increase the budget for the food sector, develop appropriate agricultural technology, and encourage domestic food productivity and absorption.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indonesian government is facing a growing food crisis, with signs already being felt, including land conversion, climate change, and rising imports of food products.
  • Hermanto highlighted five major issues contributing to the food crisis: land conversion, climate change, rise of imported food products, lack of state budget allocations for the food sector, and lack of agricultural technology.
  • The legislator noted that the government's state budget plan for the food sector in 2023 is insufficient, with a total budget value of Rp13.7 trillion (Ministry of Agriculture) + Rp6.1 trillion (Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) + Rp6.18 trillion (Ministry of Environment and Forestry), which is very low compared to other non-food sectors.
  • Hermanto emphasized the need for the government to increase the budget for the food sector, develop agricultural technology, encourage domestic food productivity and absorption, and strive to reduce food imports.
  • The legislator also emphasized the importance of realizing food sovereignty and urged the government to develop a grand strategy to solve the food crisis.

Statistics:

  • The total budget value for the food sector in 2023 is Rp26.98 trillion (Rp13.7 trillion + Rp6.1 trillion + Rp6.18 trillion).
  • Land conversion poses a significant threat, with the potential for agricultural land to decrease, thereby resulting in a decline in agricultural productivity.
  • The greenhouse effect and industrial activities are contributing to climate change, which is difficult to control.
  • The number of imported food products entering the domestic market has increased to meet industrial needs, making people dependent on imported food products.
  • The state budget plan for the food sector is divided into three: Ministry of Agriculture (Rp13.7 trillion), Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Rp6.1 trillion), and Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Rp6.18 trillion).

Sources:

  • Antara News, "Hermanto Urges Govt to Anticipate Food Crisis"
  • Indonesian House of Representatives, "Press Release on Hermanto's Visit to Padang"