inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Head of Indonesian National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo emphasized the importance of pushing local food production amidst the global crisis. He saw the current as the big opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen the local production and farm product downstreaming.

Arief says that his party along with related ministries have taken many steps to maintain food sustainability. This was contained in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 125 which increases national food reserves.

“We have to optimize and push local products to achieve food self-sufficiency. This is the time for our food sector to stand on its own two feet. In every three months, there will be a review of the commodity balance, thanks to our cooperation with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy,” says Arief on Wednesday (10/9/2024).

In his statement, the climate change will affect the global food supplies, causing their production to decrease. On the other hand, Bapanas has taken action in responding to this situation.

Furthermore, in pushing local products, the government is working together with many parties to ensure the good and fair price for farmers. The downstreaming initiative was also assessed to be able in ensuring that the farm product price remain balanced and beneficial for the farmers.

“We have prepared Bulog to be able to absorb the farm products. We want to maintain the price to remain above IDR 6,000 per kilogram,” conclude Arief.

As of now, the government continues to push their market to not only provide for the domestic, but also the international market. In achieving this goal, the downstreaming effort for farm products is intensified to reach food self-sufficiency.

(ad/ab/pr/nm)