Jakarta, (Antara) - The National Committee for Economy and Industry (KEIN) is drafting a roadmap for long-term development of the nation's food industry to help Indonesia achieve self-reliance in food production.
Without the roadmap, the government's food policies may overlap, KEIN Chairman Soetrisno Bachir noted here on Thursday.
"If we have a clear roadmap, the president will find it easier to supervise (the food industry), and the policies of ministries will not overlap," he explained.
Self-reliance in food production, which covers the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as food-related industries can help to improve the living standards of the people, particularly farmers and fishermen, most of whom belong to the marginal group, he stated.
In fact, farmers and fishermen in developed nations are among those who lead a prosperous life, said Sutrisno, who is former chairman of the National Mandate Party.
The roadmap, expected to be completed in August 2016, can be used to control the food prices, which have, so far, posed a problem, particularly during the fasting month of Ramadhan, he said.
"The chain in the production sector is so long that it may give rise to cartel practices. Food manufacturers can come together to set the prices," he pointed out.
However, he affirmed that the targets will not be achieved without hard work and breakthroughs on the part of the government.
"Ministers must work (hard). When they are not able to solve the food problems, it indicates that they are not suited for their posts," he emphasized.
As part of the efforts to control food prices, the government must strengthen the role of state-owned companies engaged in the food sector, such as Bulog, Berdikari, and Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia, he added.(*)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2016
Without the roadmap, the government's food policies may overlap, KEIN Chairman Soetrisno Bachir noted here on Thursday.
"If we have a clear roadmap, the president will find it easier to supervise (the food industry), and the policies of ministries will not overlap," he explained.
Self-reliance in food production, which covers the agricultural and fishery sectors as well as food-related industries can help to improve the living standards of the people, particularly farmers and fishermen, most of whom belong to the marginal group, he stated.
In fact, farmers and fishermen in developed nations are among those who lead a prosperous life, said Sutrisno, who is former chairman of the National Mandate Party.
The roadmap, expected to be completed in August 2016, can be used to control the food prices, which have, so far, posed a problem, particularly during the fasting month of Ramadhan, he said.
"The chain in the production sector is so long that it may give rise to cartel practices. Food manufacturers can come together to set the prices," he pointed out.
However, he affirmed that the targets will not be achieved without hard work and breakthroughs on the part of the government.
"Ministers must work (hard). When they are not able to solve the food problems, it indicates that they are not suited for their posts," he emphasized.
As part of the efforts to control food prices, the government must strengthen the role of state-owned companies engaged in the food sector, such as Bulog, Berdikari, and Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia, he added.(*)
Editor : Chandra Hamdani Noer
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2016