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Indonesia Has Potential to Be World's Agricultural Model: Bappenas Minister

From Republika · (6m ago) Indonesian Positive tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesia has the potential to become a global model for agricultural development, according to Minister Rachmat Pambudy of Bappenas.
  • The country's strong policy foundation and achievements in the agricultural sector are key to this potential, building on a long history of food security efforts since independence.
  • Sustained policies, farmer consolidation through organizations like HKTI, and support for basic needs like fertilizer and irrigation are crucial for maintaining stability amidst global crises.

Jakarta โ€“ Indonesia possesses a significant opportunity to emerge as a global leader in agricultural development, stated Minister Rachmat Pambudy, head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). He emphasized that the nation's robust policy framework and established successes in agriculture provide a solid foundation for this aspiration, positioning Indonesia not just as a regional, but a world model.

Sudah waktunya Indonesia kembali lagi menjadi model pembangunan, tidak hanya di Asia Pasifik, tapi dunia.

โ€” Rachmat PambudyMinister Rachmat Pambudy expressed Indonesia's potential to become a global model for development, particularly in agriculture.

Minister Pambudy highlighted that current agricultural achievements are the result of a long-term, consistent strategy implemented since Indonesia's independence. He recalled President Soekarno's assertion in 1952, during the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Indonesia, that "food is the life and death of the Indonesian nation." This historical perspective underscores the enduring importance of food security in national policy. The self-sufficiency in food achieved today, he noted, is not accidental but a deliberate outcome of strategies planned by predecessors and continued across various administrations.

pangan adalah hidup matinya bangsa Indonesia

โ€” President SoekarnoMinister Rachmat Pambudy quoted President Soekarno's statement on the critical importance of food for the nation.

Indonesia's relative strength in maintaining agricultural stability, even amid global food and energy crises, is a testament to its well-managed policies. These policies prioritize essential farmer needs, including fertilizer, irrigation, seeds, and fair prices for harvests. The introduction of nutritious meal programs has also emerged as a novel instrument for absorbing food production and stabilizing commodity prices, directly benefiting sectors like poultry and corn production.

Swasembada yang kita rasakan sekarang bukan kebetulan, bukan tiba-tiba, tapi adalah strategi yang dirancang sejak awal oleh para pendahulu kita.

โ€” Rachmat PambudyRachmat Pambudy attributed Indonesia's current food self-sufficiency to long-term strategic planning by previous leaders.

Furthermore, Minister Pambudy stressed the indispensable role of research in ensuring agricultural sustainability, stating, "Without research, don't expect us to be sustainable." He advocated for research findings to be directly applicable by farmers, with organizations like the Indonesian Farmers Harmony (HKTI) serving as a vital link between innovation and practical implementation. Beyond food provision, the agricultural sector is projected to be a source of energy, fiber, and industrial raw materials, reinforcing Indonesia's potential as a comprehensive agricultural powerhouse.

Begitu ada makan bergizi, persoalan telur dan ayam terselesaikan.

โ€” Rachmat PambudyRachmat Pambudy explained how nutritious meal programs help stabilize the poultry and egg markets.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.