Facing The Food Crisis, Moeldoko Hopes Sago Will Be An Alternative Food To Rice Substitute

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko when presenting the results of the sago processing at the KSP Jakarta office, Friday, October 6.

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko campaigns for sago as an alternative food in Indonesia in order to deal with the global food crisis.

"The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) will certainly encourage it by coordinating with the relevant ministries. This matter of food diversification is a serious concern of the President in dealing with food issues," said Moeldoko in his statement in Jakarta, Friday, October 6.

Moeldoko asked the Indonesian Sago Community (MASSI) to develop a sago development strategy in Indonesia, including mapping potential areas as sago producers.

The hope, said Moeldoko, is that the development of the sago ecosystem will be more focused and effective in responding to the challenges of the food crisis.

On that occasion, Moeldoko was also introduced to several processed sago food products, such as sago rice, flour, noodles, cakes, biscuits, and sago chips.

"It turns out that there are already many sago processed products. This shows that downstream the condition is already good, what needs to be improved is upstream," said Moeldoko.

The chairman of MASSI, Prof. Mochammad Bintoro, stated that sago is increasingly attractive to be absorbed. Not only is it relied on to support food security, but also to grow the regional and national economy.

"The development of innovative and diverse processed sago products can be a source of new income and create jobs," said Bintoro.

He said, MASSI's visit to the Presidential Staff Office was aimed at encouraging the government to work on sago as an alternative food to replace rice. Until now, the development of sago in several areas is still facing obstacles upstream due to the lack of attention from local governments.

"Similarly, the steps taken by Mr. Moeldoko in Bangka Belitung some time ago. Finally, the local government paid special attention to the development of sago. We, namely MASSI, hope that he can do the same in other areas," he added.