Strengthen Food Trade, RI Commits To Strengthen Bilateral Relations With Malaysia

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that Indonesia is committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia through strategic cooperation in the food sector.

"Indonesia is committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia, especially in terms of strengthening food commodity trade," Arief said, quoting Antara.

Arief conveyed this when he was a speaker at the 'International Food Security in Indonesia and Malaysia' seminar held by Alumni Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday (11/10).

He said that Indonesia is also committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia, especially in building a more efficient market mechanism in supporting regional food supply chains.

He hopes that in the future bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to develop and benefit each other, especially in the food sector.

"Through an increase in commodity trading volume such as rice, shallots, and other food products, we can complement each other's food needs in the region," said Arief.

Arief also said that the role of UPM alumni, especially Indonesian citizens, is very important in encouraging the development of cooperation between the two countries.

Furthermore, Arief said that food exports and imports are common in food trading.

He said that Indonesia imports several food commodities, as well as exports excess food commodities in the country and is a leading product in several countries.

Especially for 12 strategic staple foods regulated in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 125 of 2022 concerning Management of Government Food Reserves, the basis is national food balance calculations carried out by Bapanas together with related ministries/agencies.

"So we calculate the availability and needs of this strategic staple food product. After that, we map which ones are strategic and which ones are not scientific, so that when an import decision is made, it is based on measurable calculations and still pays attention to the welfare of farmers as food producers," said Arief.

He explained that this was in line with the food self-sufficiency vision of the elected president Prabowo Subianto, who initiated the four years since receiving the mandate on October 20, Indonesia will be self-sufficient in food again as before.

"This means that if domestic food consumption is able to be supplied from domestic production, but there is still more stock, we can export it," said Arief.

Meanwhile, UPM Professor Normaz Wana Binti Ismail acknowledged global dynamics such as war in Ukraine, climate change, and El Nino should be wary of food stability in Malaysia.

"The spirit of collaboration in creating food security in every country must be built," said Normaz.

He also emphasized the increase in domestic food production by utilizing technology and innovation.

According to him, the implementation of smart farming can provide solutions to increased production amidst challenges in land availability and population increase.

Meanwhile, General Manager of the National Farmers Organization (NAFAS), a cooperative-shaped business entity engaged in the agricultural sector in Malaysia, Encik Muhammad Faris revealed that Malaysia imports various food commodities with a total value of 78.7 billion ringgit.

"Meanwhile, the export value in the food sector is around 46.4 billion ringgit," said Faris.

For this reason, his party is open to building cooperation and strategic partnerships with a shared goal of realizing trade in the food sector that is mutually beneficial.