Failure in Food Self-Reliance Causes Middle Income Countries Not to Get Advanced
Failure in food self-sufficiency becomes one of the causes of middle income countries that makes them difficult to become developed countries (high income). "In the G20 meeting I got an insight from Robert Juliet that the phenomenon that middle income countries failed to be developed countries is because of the failure in food self-sufficiency, infrastructure and investment. From 1960 to 2008, of the low-income countries, only 13 countries got advanced," said Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Investment, Dr. (HC) Hatta Rajasa, in his speech in the Opening Ceremony of the 7th Agrinex Expo on Friday ( 5/4) in Jakarta Expo Convention Center. Agrinex Expo is held in cooperation between the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Ministry of Agriculture and Performax.
Food or agricultural sector contributes 5 per cent of Indonesia’s GDP. Of the 15 percent, the largest is from food or downstream industrial sector and the fisheries sector has not contributed much. According to Hatta Rajasa, Indonesia has vast fishery resources, but unfortunately they have not been optimally explored, thus unable to contribute much to the GDP of Indonesia. "The trend of the countries with medium incomes is the rising purchasing power or consumption of food and beverages. From a business standpoint this is clearly greatly potential opportunity, if we do not quickly take it, it will be taken by foreign investors," said Hatta Rajasa. Further he said that to improve its competitiveness, innovation and technology are required to take the business opportunity.
Similarly, Rector of IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Herry Suhardiyanto said there are five steps in mainstreaming agriculture in the national development to solve various problems of food, energy, water and environment. These steps include the development of various staple crops, development of upstream and downstream industries based in villages, wise marine exploration, integrated and sustainable development of bioenergy and development of infrastructure, banking and financial institutions," said Prof . Herry.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the 7th Agrinex Expo, Ir. Rifda Ammarina added thar Agrinex Expo is a forum of opportunity to provide agricultural information to improve public awareness that agriculture is the backbone of development. "I need full support of all parties, especially the government to make these activities a success in promoting agribusiness in Indonesia," he said. (mtd)
