Poor security, civil unrest still disrupt RI food supply<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's food supply continues to be affected
\nby poor security, the escalation of civil unrest as well as
\ngeneral economic problems, international observers have said.<\/p>\n
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World
\nFood Program (WFP) found in their recent crop and supply
\nassessment mission to Indonesia indications that markets were
\nfailing because traders were reluctant to hold stock or transport
\nlarge consignments due to security concerns.<\/p>\n
They said such failures, together with the diminished role of
\nthe State Logistics Agency (Bulog), had led to considerable
\nvariation in supplies and prices across the country, further
\nrestricting the access of the poor to markets.<\/p>\n
\"In general, while there are expectations of some recovery in
\nagriculture and economy this year, the longer-term prospect for
\nemployment and growth remains uncertain,\" they said in their
\nreport.<\/p>\n
The assessment was conducted from March 15 to March 25 to
\nassess current food production and evaluate overall food supply
\nin response to growing concern over food insecurity resulting
\nfrom the prolonged economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
The economic crisis in Indonesia, which began in mid-1997 with
\nthe collapse of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar and deepening
\nliquidity problems in the economy as confidence in the financial
\nsector declined, has greatly increased the vulnerability of a
\nlarge segment of the population to food insecurity.<\/p>\n
This lead to a 15 percent contraction in the country's economy
\nin 1998, from a position of favorable economic growth in 1996
\nwhen GDP grew at 8 percent.<\/p>\n
FAO and WFP said the economic crisis had mainly affected food
\nsecurity in urban areas, with job losses and a consequent decline
\nin household incomes and access to food.<\/p>\n
However, the problem is spreading to rural areas as job
\ncompetition is becoming fiercer and wages continue to drop,
\ncausing a further increase of migration to the already
\neconomically troubled urban areas, they said.<\/p>\n
In urban areas, despite prospects of modest recovery this
\nyear, large segments of the population remain severely exposed to
\nfood insecurity as their ability to cope has been heavily eroded,
\nthey added.<\/p>\n
\"Although national and international measures are being taken
\nto stimulate economic recovery, which is the solution to food
\ninsecurity in Indonesia, the benefits are, however, unlikely to
\nbe felt in the short term,\" the two organizations said.<\/p>\n
They highlighted that the primary target for food assistance
\nto the country should be children under five and expectant and
\nlactating mothers in urban areas.<\/p>\n
Promising<\/p>\n
Based on the mission's field trips to main rice production
\nareas in Java, the two organizations predicted promising rice
\nproduction in 1999.<\/p>\n
They projected that the main harvest would be good, with the
\nsupport of attractive prices and favorable rainfall.<\/p>\n
Due to the continuation of the La Nia weather pattern, an
\nabove normal rainfall is expected during the dry season, they
\nadded. The planting session begins in May.<\/p>\n
They said the government's efforts in supplying subsidized
\ncredit and ensuring greater availability of input through support
\nto the private sector would stimulate this year's food
\nproduction.<\/p>\n
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), 1999's
\nunhusked rice production is projected to reach 48.6 million
\nmetric tons, similar to its final estimate of 48.5 million tons
\nfor 1998 production.<\/p>\n
Consequently, an estimated 3.1 million tons of rice will have
\nto be imported during the 1999\/2000 period. About 1.3 million
\ntons of the 3.1 million import requirement is financed by
\ncommercial and soft loans and food aid.<\/p>\n
BPS said the 1.8-million ton rice deficit would be covered by
\ncommercial or concessional imports, loans, grants and targeted
\nfood aid.<\/p>\n
In addition to rice, a 3.3-million ton demand in wheat is
\npredicted for the 1999\/2000 period amid the steady decline
\nprojected in the level of wheat utilization due to lower income
\nand demand of wheat-based products.<\/p>\n
BPS estimates the uncovered import requirement for wheat to be
\n2.2 million tons for the same period.<\/p>\n
In view of food availability and cost considerations, both
\norganizations recommended international assistance to provide
\nwheat-based products, such as noodles and blended foods, in
\nassociation with local manufacturers.<\/p>\n
They added that proposals also should be considered to provide
\nadditional support to the government's ongoing special market
\noperation (OPK) program, which aims to provide subsidized rice to
\napproximately 19 million families during the 1999\/2000 period.
\n(cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/poor-security-civil-unrest-still-disrupt-ri-food-supply-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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