IPB Rector: Indonesia will be able to overcome the dependence on the imported fruits and vegetables

IPB Rector, Prof. Dr.IrHerrySuhardiyanto believes that Indonesia will be able to  overcomethe dependence on the imported fruits and vegetables. Thisstatement  was expressed in the press conference in Agrinex Expo 2013, at the Jakarta International Convention Center, on 7 April 2013. According to Prof. Suhardiyantothe current food habit of the communities haveshifted, previously they consume a lots of rice, currently they are beginning to shift to consume a lots of fruits and vegetables. The impact of the shift caused Indonesia has to importof fruits and vegetables, they cause Indonesia to spend about 17 trillion Rupiah on  2012 to import both fruits and vegetables. 

 

He explained that the communities no longer rely on the fullness of their stomach. "Now people are getting concerned about fruits and vegetables. "It’s already occurin Malaysia. This ideasis to catch up with the status of the Japanese community on their eating habits, "he said.

 

Thus, according to Rector, we have to strengthen our fruits, vegetables and milkproduction. If we fail to increase our products then we will have problems. "I’m confidence that Indonesia is capable to overcome it, but we work all-out for such programs, both upstream-downstream must be completed. They shouldn’t be fragmented. Fruit and vegetable production is getting better. An example is the mangosteen, papaya and mango which are flourish well, but not orange as it is still infested by many diseases. This year mangosteencome in good harvest, we produce plenty, it is evidence of our success in mangosteen cultivation, therefore, we have to maintain these two commodities production continuesly, "said Rector.

 

Furthermore,  Rector stated  that we have to breed seeds, to cultivate appropriately, and to establish partnerships  with reliable parties. More importantly, we to prepare better human resources. IPB in collaboration with PTPN VIII will plant in 3000 acres of land with mangosteen and 3000 acres of land withdurian. In both plantation fields, before the harvest seasons, papaya and bananawill be planted. Feasibility studyfor such projects had been carried out. 

 

"We must have strong  commitment to for farmers. If farmers fail to harvest, our import dependence will cause a large problem  to us. Thus, agriculture is mandatory, "he said. (Wied)