Government Must Maintain Agricultural Sector: Prabowo

Jakarta (Antara) - The government must keep the agricultural sector on track, in spite of the creation of policies considered to be less favorable to the agriculture sector, according to Indonesian Farmers Association Chairman Prabowo Subianto. Speaking during a discussion on "Realizing Sovereign and Prospering Agricultural Development" at Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) campus on Friday, Prabowo said the government was less partial towards the agricultural sector. He pointed out that the lack of partiality of the government could be seen from the policy of imports of agricultural produce, farmers' poor bargaining positions against bank, and a general decrease in the number of farmers. "We are supposed to protect the agricultural and marine treasures but, pathetically, we failed to do it properly," said the presidential candidate from Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) party. Prabowo believes that other countries were able to protect their agriculture and marine wealth and, therefore, the government of Indonesia should play a more important role in the agricultural sector. "It is ironic that in the past we exported fish, but our failure to keep it on track now make us import patin fish (pangasius nasutus), marine fish, salted fish, and even salt from other countries," he noted. Meanwhile, IPB Rector Herry Suhardianto said the agricultural sector should be a top priority in Indonesia's sustainable development, because it is the second largest contributor to the nation¿s gross domestic product, with a total contribution of Rp1,190.41 trillion. "It is very important for the government to improve its development strategy to strengthen the agricultural sector," Herry said. Citing the Central Bureau of Statistics data, which indicated a 16-percent drop in the number of farmers in the past ten years, he said this was possibly caused by farms being turned into industrial sectors, along with agricultural land conversion. Therefore, he noted, agricultural problems should be addressed in a timely manner to strengthen Indonesia's food security and sovereignty. (*)