Indonesia`s food security program facing challenges, minister
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government`s food security program is facing various challenges, including the shrinkage of farm land due to development of residential areas, a minister said.
"This is a logical consequence of population growth which requires housing as one of the basic needs," Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie said in his address to the national food congress of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday.
He said the program aimed at improving farm production through the provision of high-yiedling seeds, fertilizers, and post-harvest management guidance always topped the list of the government`s priorities.
"In addition, the government has also spent a great deal of budget funds on developing and maintaining agricultural infrastructure facilities," he said.
The other challenge that must draw attention from the government and the business world was how to anticipate climate anomaly as a result of climate change, he said.
"Climate change will have an impact on the planting pattern. The frequent floods that recently affected parts of the country had an impact on harvests due to the reduced area of farm land that could be planted," he said.
The fulfilment of demand for food was closely related to the availability of food. The more the country could make food available, the more the need for food could be fulfilled, he said.
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"This is a logical consequence of population growth which requires housing as one of the basic needs," Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie said in his address to the national food congress of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday.
He said the program aimed at improving farm production through the provision of high-yiedling seeds, fertilizers, and post-harvest management guidance always topped the list of the government`s priorities.
"In addition, the government has also spent a great deal of budget funds on developing and maintaining agricultural infrastructure facilities," he said.
The other challenge that must draw attention from the government and the business world was how to anticipate climate anomaly as a result of climate change, he said.
"Climate change will have an impact on the planting pattern. The frequent floods that recently affected parts of the country had an impact on harvests due to the reduced area of farm land that could be planted," he said.
The fulfilment of demand for food was closely related to the availability of food. The more the country could make food available, the more the need for food could be fulfilled, he said.
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