Improved coordination needed for food industry development
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)