REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Government's strategy to ban the import of several horticulture product unlikely boosted the local production, an expert on agriculture, HS Dillon, said.
"The import restriction isn't enough. We also need policy on agricultural development to protect farmers," Dillon said on Friday. He said that government must give incentive to the farmers, such as high-quality seeds and infrastructure procurement.
Started from January-June 2013, government rules the import of several horticultural products, such as durian, banana and pineapple. Ministry of Agriculture said the import restriction was implemented to boost the quality of local products.
The United States has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the ban. Minister of Agriculture Suswono said he was confident the government would win the lawsuit.
Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa defended the ban, arguing that the move is designed to protect local products.
"We must protect local horticultural products because they are related to the future of our farmers," he said. The minister noted that local farmers have difficulties on exporting horticultural products.
At the current harvest time the domestic supply of horticultural products is more than enough. Thus, the country does not need to import the commodities, he said.
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