The Head Of The Food Agency Requires Importers To Absorb Soybeans From Local Farmers

Tofu and tempeh craftsmen check the quality of subsidized imported soybeans to be distributed in Banda Aceh, Aceh. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Head of the National Food Agency/NFA (National Food Agency) Arief Prasetyo Adi requires importers to absorb local farmers' soybeans as an effort to strengthen the national soybean stock.

Arief said the strengthening of the stock was an effort to create a domestic food ecosystem and maintain the availability of soybean food.

These efforts are carried out in synergy with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of BUMN, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, food SOEs, Bulog, the private sector and associations.

“In Indonesia, the market already exists because the interest in consuming soybeans such as tofu and tempeh is quite high. When soybeans are priced well, even better than overseas, this is our chance to grow soybeans. Indeed, it requires a process of planting and the seeds need to be prepared, but this movement to plant soybeans has also been mandated by President Joko Widodo," said Arief, quoted from Antara, Monday, June 6.

The head of the National Food Agency revealed that farmers' interest in growing soybeans is still minimal compared to rice and sugar cane, because soybean prices at the farm level are still low, which has an impact on reluctance to plant soybeans.

Previously, Arief continued, the SOE food holding ID FOOD through PT Sang Hyang Seri had started soybean cultivation in the agricultural land area of PT SHS in Sukamandi, Subang, West Java since March 2022 in collaboration with Gadjah Mada University academics.

"Maintaining soybean prices at the farmer level and absorbing their production is a driving force to increase interest in growing soybeans and strengthen national soybean stocks," said Arief.

He said that the reference price for soybeans at the farmer level is currently around Rp. 8,500 per kg. Therefore, the National Food Agency together with the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders will prepare a new regulation on soybean reference prices at the farmer level.

The National Food Agency's role is to update the reference price following the development of production facilities needed by farmers, pay attention to the global trade situation, and ensure price and market certainty for farmers' products. In this way, it is hoped that farmers can be protected and can develop their production, and gradually reduce dependence on soybean imports.