Improved coordination needed for food industry development

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called for government institutions to help develop the national food industry and urged farmers and people to diversify food production and consumption.

"Our food industry development, which remains the top priority in the newly begun 25-year development plan period, can be successful if all the related industry sectors... work together," the President said at an opening ceremony of a three-day national coordination meeting on food, at Bulog's headquarters in State Palace here yesterday.

He said the transportation sector, for example, should be help accelerate the distribution of food products throughout the country.

"I hope to see more cooperatives and other private sectors businesses get involved in the development of the food industry because they have potential both to produce food and to distribute agricultural products throughout the country," he added.

The President stressed that inter-sectional cooperation is essential to tackle difficulties in the food-related businesses which generally face high risks. "Food producers are almost totally dependent on the seasons, which are obviously beyond our control. We can only do our best to minimize the threats to food availability," he said.

State Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan, who is also Chairman of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), supported Soeharto's statements. He said that his office was working on creating ties between government institutions, industrial entities and banks to support its massive programs on the development of food-related businesses.

"Today we are due to sign agreements on cooperation with the ministries of transmigration and agriculture and the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) for improved coordination in food reporting," he said.

Ibrahim said the current coordination meeting, which was held for the first time by his office, is part of its efforts to engage related-economic sectors in the food development. The meeting is participated in by Bulog officials, the heads of provincial offices of the ministries of agriculture and health, deputies of governors and regents.

Diversification

"In anticipation of fluctuations in the food supply due to the unseasonable weather, Indonesia should diversify its food products," the President said.

"We cannot rely too much on rice, albeit it remains important for Indonesians," he said.

Diversification of food production will require solid cooperation among various sectors, he added.

Soeharto pointed out that Indonesia's policy on food diversification should be based on the advantages that each province has in producing a particular product.

"We cannot force all provinces to produce a similar product. Each province has its own comparative advantages and our job now is to enable provinces to develop their own agricultural products," he said.

He said when a region has advantages in the production of horticulture or crops, they should be developed to its fullest. "I believe, the scheme will improve efficiency in our food products," he added.

The President said a secure food supply in Indonesia will not only accelerate economic development but also strengthen the nation's resilience.(fhp)