Note, Moeldoko Hopes Every Region Must Have An Independent Food Security System

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff Dr. Moeldoko emphasized the importance of food security. In each region, he said, they must have an independent food security system in order to be ready to face the threat of a global food crisis.

This was conveyed by Moeldoko in his meeting with the Chancellor of the Manado State University, Prof. Dietje A. Katuuk, and a number of higher education officials in North Sulawesi at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, Friday, August 26.

"Each region in Indonesia must have food security, so it does not depend on supplies from other islands or regions," said Moeldoko.

The 2013-2015 TNI Commander analogized the regional food security system with one of the military defense strategies, namely the compartment system. In a state of prolonged war, all major islands are required to have independence because of the difficulty of bringing in logistics from outside the island.

“This compartment system is very much in line with current issues of agriculture and food security. Moreover, we are facing a difficult global situation. So they must be able to meet their needs independently,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Manado State University came to meet Moeldoko to discuss the potential for developing superior agricultural commodities of rice and corn and sorghum cultivation in North Sulawesi.

The current government continues to strive to maintain the pillars of food security by ensuring the quantity and quality of food availability at affordable prices. This is in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food that the community has the broadest rights and opportunities in an effort to realize food reserves.

Therefore, Manado State University's initiative to develop superior food products has received high appreciation from the Presidential Chief of Staff.

“I am happy that students can participate in supporting the food security program in their area. Invite and teach students and local people to make organic fertilizer. It's great that students have many choices to develop products in the agricultural sector," Moeldoko said.

With this, Moeldoko hopes that people will start changing their mindset so that they don't just farm to eat enough, but also start thinking about how to innovate in the agricultural sector.