Coordinating Minister For Food Zulhas Says The Key To Food Self-Sufficiency Is Collective Work Of Central, Regional And Private Governments

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, together with the Acting Governor of West Java Bey Tahri Machmudin. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said that food self-sufficiency is targeted to occur in 2028, the key is the collective work of all parties from district/city governments, provincial governments, central governments, ministries and institutions as well as the private sector.

"Therefore, the government's program must be self-sufficient in food in 2028 and that is the key word for cooperation, there are regents, governors, as well as related ministries," Zulkifli said in the commemoration of World Food Day (HPS) 2024 at the West Java level in Bandung, quoted from Antara, Sunday 17 November.

Zulkifli emphasized that the central government is currently trying to reduce the number of hunger for children in Indonesia, to realize food self-sufficiency in Indonesia in 2028.

"Indeed, the world is trying to prevent children from starving, but in reality from 2019 to 2023 it will increase. In 2019 it was 7.9 percent who were starving, now 9 percent, there are around 733 million people who lack," he said.

Therefore, Zulkifli mentioned the presence of the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs to coordinate related to the 2028 food self-sufficiency program.

"God willing, if we work together, work together and now Pak Prabowo has formed a Coordinating Ministry for Food Sector to coordinate. I believe that if we cooperate in 2028 we can self-sufficiency in food," said Zulkifli.

Di lokasi yang sama, Penjabat (Pj) Gubernur Jawa Barat Beyvi Machmudin berharap kolaborasi dan sinergi dari semua pihak, salah satunya melalui peringatan Hari Pangan Sedunia 2024 yang diisii oleh Pameran Pangan Lokal dari 27 kabupaten/kota, dapat mengubah pola pikir dan kebiasa masyarakat untuk mengonsumsi pangan lokal, sehingga target self-sumbada pangan pemerintah pusat pada 2028 dapat terealis.

"I hope that through the hard work and collaboration of all parties, West Java can be an example in realizing a strong, innovative, and sustainable food system. Hopefully the momentum of World Food Day 2024 will be our real step to build a better future for the people of West Java and Indonesia," said Bey.

In addition, Bey explained that to provide strong food security, it is not only related to the need for fertilizer, seeds, and irrigation, but also important to manage land so that adequate irrigation is given to the fields that have been prepared to achieve the 2028 food self-sufficiency target.

"So the issue of food is not only a matter of fertilizer, irrigation or seeds, but there are other things related. Earlier, the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs said, irrigation was not just a pumping, but what about water sources to rice fields," said Bey.

Currently, the West Java Food and Hope Pattern (PPH) score reaches 93.8 points, close to the national score. However, this achievement still requires an increase, especially through the consumption of vegetables and fruit.

It is stated that the commemoration of World Food Day (HPS) 2024 is a momentum in educating the public about the importance of consuming local food and food which is nutritiously balanced and safe so that the target of food self-sufficiency in 2028 can be realized.

The 2024 World Food Day activity at the West Java Province level, carries the theme "Local Food, Future Food Solutions for West Java Food Independence" held at Sport West Java Arcamanik, Bandung City.

The event presented Local Food Exhibitions from 27 regencies/cities, Cheap Food Movements (GPM), Various Menu Creation Contests, Balanced and Safe Nutrition (B2SA), B2SA Botram, and the Movement to Drink Milk and Eat Eggs.

Other activities, namely Local Food Snack Corners, Gastronomi Cooking and Icip-cip demonstrations, Local Food Innovation talk shows, Food Stop Boros Movement, Business Identification Number (NIB) consulting services, nutrition and health consultations, Mobile Samsat, and Mobile SIM.