Improved coordination needed for food industry development<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called for
\ngovernment institutions to help develop the national food
\nindustry and urged farmers and people to diversify food
\nproduction and consumption.<\/p>\n
\"Our food industry development, which remains the top priority
\nin the newly begun 25-year development plan period, can be
\nsuccessful if all the related industry sectors... work together,\"
\nthe President said at an opening ceremony of a three-day national
\ncoordination meeting on food, at Bulog's headquarters in State
\nPalace here yesterday.<\/p>\n
He said the transportation sector, for example, should be help
\naccelerate the distribution of food products throughout the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"I hope to see more cooperatives and other private sectors
\nbusinesses get involved in the development of the food industry
\nbecause they have potential both to produce food and to
\ndistribute agricultural products throughout the country,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
The President stressed that inter-sectional cooperation is
\nessential to tackle difficulties in the food-related businesses
\nwhich generally face high risks. \"Food producers are almost
\ntotally dependent on the seasons, which are obviously beyond our
\ncontrol. We can only do our best to minimize the threats to food
\navailability,\" he said.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan, who is also Chairman of
\nthe National Logistics Agency (Bulog), supported Soeharto's
\nstatements. He said that his office was working on creating ties
\nbetween government institutions, industrial entities and banks to
\nsupport its massive programs on the development of food-related
\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
\"Today we are due to sign agreements on cooperation with the
\nministries of transmigration and agriculture and the Central
\nBureau of Statistics (BPS) for improved coordination in food
\nreporting,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim said the current coordination meeting, which was held
\nfor the first time by his office, is part of its efforts to
\nengage related-economic sectors in the food development. The
\nmeeting is participated in by Bulog officials, the heads of
\nprovincial offices of the ministries of agriculture and health,
\ndeputies of governors and regents.<\/p>\n
Diversification<\/p>\n
\"In anticipation of fluctuations in the food supply due to the
\nunseasonable weather, Indonesia should diversify its food
\nproducts,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot rely too much on rice, albeit it remains important
\nfor Indonesians,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Diversification of food production will require solid
\ncooperation among various sectors, he added.<\/p>\n
Soeharto pointed out that Indonesia's policy on food
\ndiversification should be based on the advantages that each
\nprovince has in producing a particular product.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot force all provinces to produce a similar product.
\nEach province has its own comparative advantages and our job now
\nis to enable provinces to develop their own agricultural
\nproducts,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said when a region has advantages in the production of
\nhorticulture or crops, they should be developed to its fullest.
\n\"I believe, the scheme will improve efficiency in our food
\nproducts,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The President said a secure food supply in Indonesia will not
\nonly accelerate economic development but also strengthen the
\nnation's resilience.(fhp)<\/p>",
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