REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Hatta Rajasa said that Indonesia experienced a trade surplus in the food and agriculture sector. The surplus reached 28 billion USD per year.
"With more achievements in agriculture and food sector and its competitiveness, it can address the needs of future national food and feed the world," Hatta said in a speech on the anniversary of 33th World Food Day (HPS) in Padang, West Sumatra, on Thursday (31/10).
He said the government has issued 'Bukittinggi Action Plan' to increase production and expansion of sustainable food. The plan was produced when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) held a coordination meeting with number of ministers and several provincial government in Bukittinggi, Tuesday (29/10).
Besides, he added, the government has also issued a Presidential Decree No. 42 of 2013 about National Movement of Nutrition Improvement Acceleration at the anniversary.
"Through the action plan, the government would set a range of measurable operational plans into action plans for all farmers and businesses to be implemented immediately," he added.
From the various efforts that have been done, Hatta hope, Indonesia will be back in self sufficiency as per 2008 on rice, and can meet the needs of corn and sugar consumption.
Various improvements also occurred in the agricultural sector, such as crop area increased from 1.30 percent to 1.36 percent today, production growth also increased from 1.34 percent to 2.28 percent.
Indonesia's efforts to overcome hunger and malnutrition have led to the award of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the beginning of 2013. FAO awarded Indonesia for being able to reduce the number of hunger from 19.9 percent in 1990-1992 to 8.6 percent in 2010-2012.
"The figure is above the MDG standard of 9.9 percent," Hatta said.
Of all these achievements, he added, there are still a lot of homework that needs to be done by the government, stakeholders, and all parties to form self-sufficiency.
"We need to build food security and improve nutrition to sustain our lives in the future."
Ed: Heri Ruslan
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