ID :
16662
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 17:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16662
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DPD CHIEF: FOOD, ENERGY SECURITY EQUALLY CRUCIAL TO RI
Jakarta, Aug 22 (ANTARA) - Food security is as crucial to Indonesia as energy security, Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Chairman Ginandjar Kartasasmita said.
In addition to energy security, food security is also an important problem in Indonesia with its big population, Kartasasmita said in his address at a DPD plenary session here on Friday.
The DPD was delighted to hear that Indonesia had regained self-sufficiency in food, in rice in particular, he said, adding this was a great government achievement.
But to maintain the food self sufficiency, the government should be constantly alert, he said, because there were many factors that could influence agricultural production.
In addition to climate and weather conditions as well as the threat of plant diseases or pests, availability of production facilities and a smooth distribution system were also determining factors. For example, he said, the DPD had received reports from several regions such as North Sumatra about shortages of fertilizer.
"Above all, what poses as a challenge to us is how to guarantee the welfare and the buying power of farmers and fishermen who should now be enjoying the benefits of the high prices of agricultural products in the world," he said.
EnvironmentThe DPD chief also reminded the government that the ways in which renewable and non-renewable natural resources were managed should remain within the larger context of its environmental policies of national as well as regioncal scope.
Indonesia as a populous country still had ample living space but in reality the preservation and sustainability of the country's environment was still being bugged by big problems.
The government's success in organizing the UN conference on climate change in Bali last year should be a momentum to make concrete follow-up efforts to prevent the quality of the environment from dropping continuously, he said.
"Sustainable development should not remain just a slogan but really be internalized and implemented," Kartasasmita said.
As to environmentally-sound economy like tourism, he said it had to be further developed. "It just does not make sense that the number of tourists visiting Indonesia with its vast territory, beautiful natural sceneries and cultural diversity is far lower than those coming to its neighbors," he said.
He said the government needed to adopt policies and provide incentives to develop those fields continuously.
"Within the limits of its capability and authority, the DPD has already made efforts to help, among other things, by twice organizing an Indonesian Regional Investment Forum opened by the president and attended by numerous domestic and foreign participants," Kartasasmita said.
In addition to energy security, food security is also an important problem in Indonesia with its big population, Kartasasmita said in his address at a DPD plenary session here on Friday.
The DPD was delighted to hear that Indonesia had regained self-sufficiency in food, in rice in particular, he said, adding this was a great government achievement.
But to maintain the food self sufficiency, the government should be constantly alert, he said, because there were many factors that could influence agricultural production.
In addition to climate and weather conditions as well as the threat of plant diseases or pests, availability of production facilities and a smooth distribution system were also determining factors. For example, he said, the DPD had received reports from several regions such as North Sumatra about shortages of fertilizer.
"Above all, what poses as a challenge to us is how to guarantee the welfare and the buying power of farmers and fishermen who should now be enjoying the benefits of the high prices of agricultural products in the world," he said.
EnvironmentThe DPD chief also reminded the government that the ways in which renewable and non-renewable natural resources were managed should remain within the larger context of its environmental policies of national as well as regioncal scope.
Indonesia as a populous country still had ample living space but in reality the preservation and sustainability of the country's environment was still being bugged by big problems.
The government's success in organizing the UN conference on climate change in Bali last year should be a momentum to make concrete follow-up efforts to prevent the quality of the environment from dropping continuously, he said.
"Sustainable development should not remain just a slogan but really be internalized and implemented," Kartasasmita said.
As to environmentally-sound economy like tourism, he said it had to be further developed. "It just does not make sense that the number of tourists visiting Indonesia with its vast territory, beautiful natural sceneries and cultural diversity is far lower than those coming to its neighbors," he said.
He said the government needed to adopt policies and provide incentives to develop those fields continuously.
"Within the limits of its capability and authority, the DPD has already made efforts to help, among other things, by twice organizing an Indonesian Regional Investment Forum opened by the president and attended by numerous domestic and foreign participants," Kartasasmita said.
