Need for Establishment of Food Security Institution at Ministry Level
Three speakers in the discussion ‘Institutional Development of Food in Indonesia after the Revised Food Law’ agree on the need to set up a national food security agency with the authority and responsibility level of a ministry directly under the President to ensure the realization of food security as mandated by the Law 18 of 2012 on Food. The three speakers of the discussion organized by the Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB-FEMA) in cooperation with the Association of Indonesian Agriculture Graduates (PISPI), Tuesday (14/5) are Head of the National Agency for Food Security, Ministry of Agriculture, Prof.Ahmad Suryana, Director of Logistics Agency (Bulog), Ir. Sutarto Alimoeso, MM and Vice Chairman of Commission IV – House of Representatives, Ir. E. Herman Khaeron, M.Sc.
"We propose the name of the institution National Food Security Agency (BKPN), a Non-Ministry Government Organization under and responsible directly to the President," said Prof.Ahmad. BKPN’s proposed tasks are: 1) developing a national food policy, 2) coordinating, integrating, synchronizing, controling and monitoring the implementation of national and regional food policy, 3) implementing the coordination, integration, alignment, control and supervision of the implementation of national and regional food policy, 4 ) managing the supply and stabilization of food prices (stock management and policy formulation and market price), 5) dealing with vulnerability / food insecurity (hungry people) and 6) promoting consumption (diversification & I love Indonesian food) and food safety.
The cross-sector ministerial institution has, said Prof.Ahmad, the characteristic of being able to communicate directly with the President. "In addition, it has sufficient authority and ability to coordinate the ministers or heads of agencies in the development of food as well as to give directions in coordinating the implementation of food policies in the region," continued Prof.Ahmad.
Bulog president director, Ir. Sutarto Alimoeso added that at present Bulog position is not strong enough to take decisions in order to ensure food security. "With such position, we get too many instructions. It is necessary to have an institution with strong authority to make decisions quickly when food security is threatened," he said.
The discussion moderated by Dean of FEMA IPB, Dr. Arif Satria was attended by various experts, students and practitioners of food. This activity is one of a series of activities in the 50th IPB Anniversary. (Mtd)
