How to revamp the farming sector<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
The recent skyrocketing price of rice is actually the result
\nof long practices of unsound rice supply and distribution.
\nUnfortunately, the emphasis in the current polemic on this
\nmatter, colored frequently by emotional debates because each
\nparty has its own interests, is how to improve rice distribution
\nchannels or to distribute rice or funds for rice purchases to the
\npoor. However, all this is too late. Even if the value-added tax
\non imported rice is exempted, the problem will only be solved
\ntemporarily.<\/p>\n
In point of fact, the crux of the matter is the weakening of
\nthe people's purchasing power as a result of the ongoing crisis
\nnow and, worse still, because of two other factors -- the
\novervalued exchange rate of the American dollar against the
\nrupiah and rice hoarding by speculators who wish to make the most
\nprofits at the expense of their fellow citizens' empty stomachs.<\/p>\n
Purchasing power has got even weaker as thousands of workers
\nin the industrial and service sectors have been laid off, a
\ncondition leading to the acceleration of the process of
\nimpoverishment (according to data of the Central Bureau of
\nStatistics, about 27 families or about 80 million people now live
\nunder the poverty line).<\/p>\n
Of course, high-ranking government officials may try to apply
\nvarious systems or policies. One thing to remember, however, is
\nthat the application of the system must have direct effects on
\nthe community and that coordination among government agencies and
\nministries must be well established to avoid confusing comments
\nand prevent the situation from become chaotic.<\/p>\n
Allow me, then, to propose a number of measures which may be
\nincorporated in government policies intended to solve long-term
\nproblems and at the same time lay, in the long run, a strong
\nfoundation for a better system:<\/p>\n
1. Re-engineer the agricultural sector and at the same time
\nreduce favoring megaprojects and conglomerates;<\/p>\n
2. Give farmer's produce\/output a worthy price (in accordance
\nwith proper business principles);<\/p>\n
3. Create labor-intensive and land-intensive undertakings with
\nclear targets in order to slightly restore the purchasing power.
\nThe business sector must be advised against resorting to layoffs
\nunder the pretext of efficiency;<\/p>\n
4. Leave the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) under the care of
\nthe minister of agriculture and the minister of state for food
\naffairs to ensure that the agency will be run more effectively.
\nSee to it that the agency is supported by a strong management
\nsystem in distribution and marketing. In this way, the agency
\nwill perform its control function effectively from the upstream
\npart to the downstream part in the food sector.<\/p>\n
BIMO RAHARJO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/how-to-revamp-the-farming-sector-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }