RI Ranked 70th in Terms of Food Security

Bandung, W Java (Antara) - Indonesia is ranked 70th in terms of food security, although it is endowed with abundant natural resources. "Indonesia had the potential to improve its food security because it had (huge) natural resources, human resources, culture and market," dean of the agriculture faculty of the Bandung-based Padjadjaran University (Unpad) Dr Drajat Sudrajat said here on Thursday. Indonesia still had to work hard to catch up with India, Vietnam and even Singapore, which now had good food security, he said in a seminar on "the role of institutes of higher learning in supporting the national food diversification program" at the Unpad campus. Chief of the Food Security Board at the Agriculture Ministry Professor Dr. Achmad Suryana shared Drajat's views, saying besides abundant natural and human resources, Indonesia also had strong economic performance and food market. "If all the potential of the country are managed properly, Indonesia will be able to develop its food security so that it is at par with other nations (which have good food security)," he said. Diversification of farm products will also enhance food security, as the country had diverse plant and animal species, he added. Among the local food commodities that were developed to support the food diversity program were sago, corn, cassava, sweet potato and sorghum, he remarked. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of the House of Representatives Commission IV, Berman Khoeron, said food had now become a crucial issue. "Food was no longer a strategic and principal issue, but had evolved into a human rights issue," he said. (*)