The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas),\nhas revealed a major issue making Indonesian food uncompetitive. One of\nthe primary concerns is the cost of rice production, which is\nsignificantly higher than in neighbouring countries like Vietnam and\nThailand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur neighbouring countries, Thailand and Vietnam, only spend Rp3,800\nto produce 1 kilogram of rice. For us, 1 kilogram of rice requires a\ncost of Rp12,000. We are lagging far behind,\u201d said Zulhas during the\nbook launch of \u2018Indonesian Food: From Healthy Plates to Superior Humans\u2019\nat the Jakarta International Convention Centre (JICC), Jakarta, on\nFriday (4\/9\/202_).<\/p>\n
According to Zulhas, these high production costs do not exist in\nisolation. The issue relates to agricultural technology, the use of new\nvarieties, and how paddy fields are managed. These factors mean that\nIndonesia\u2019s agricultural productivity remains behind.<\/p>\n
When the yields obtained from land and production inputs are not\noptimal, the costs incurred to produce every kilogram of food become\nlarger. A similar problem occurs with the sugarcane commodity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we plant sugarcane in Lumajang, the cost is Rp14,000 per 1 kg,\nwhereas in India and Brazil, the cost is approximately less than Rp4,000\nfor 1 kg. If this continues, we will constantly fall behind,\u201d explained\nZulhas.<\/p>\n
Another issue is the dependency on seeds from abroad. Zulhas stated\nthat almost all food crop seeds in Indonesia still rely on imports, and\nsome can only be used for a single planting season.<\/p>\n
This condition is considered a serious problem because Indonesia\nactually possesses the capacity to develop its own varieties. He pointed\nto the existence of universities such as ITB and IPB, which possess\nresearch capabilities and human resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have many varieties, and we have ITB, we have IPB, we have great\ncampuses. However, this is if we still do not realise how important food\nis,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The issue of unaffordable food and low consumption quality can lead\nto problems of poverty and malnutrition. Zulhas cited his experience\nvisiting Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), where he found primary\nschool children with short and small physical conditions, which he\nbelieves is related to dietary patterns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThailand\u2019s per capita income, if I am not mistaken, is already\nUS$8,000. Ours is still below US$5,000. We are poorer, yet we have to\npay more,\u201d he explained.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zulhas-reveals-why-indonesian-rice-is-expensive-while-vietnam-costs-only-rp3-800-1788526517", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }