FAO Praises Moeldoko's Ideas On Strengthening Farmers' Regeneration In Asia Pacific

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko at the 37th Asian Pacific Ministerial Meeting (APRC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, (Special)

JAKARTA - The World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) appreciates the idea of the Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko, regarding strengthening the regeneration of farmers in the Asia Pacific region.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of the FAO Board, Hans Hoogeven, at the 37th FAO Asia Pacific Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, February 21.

Hoogeven assessed that Indonesia has shown concrete steps in responding to the threat of a global food crisis, especially through the transformation of the agricultural sector, including efforts to regenerate farmers.

If young people are not interested in agriculture, this will be a disaster. FAO will follow up and negotiate the thinking of the Indonesian government, especially regarding farmer regeneration, "said Hoogeven.

At the conference attended by 34 delegates from the FAO Asia Pacific member country, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko explained three priorities for the transformation of agriculture and food to deal with the food crisis in Asia Pacific.

First, the transformation of farming. Moeldoko emphasized the importance of encouraging more efficient agriculture with technology and sustainability. Regional cooperation in developing agricultural technology needs to be strengthened.

Second, the transformation of food products. The Asia Pacific region, which is rich in biological resources, must build food security by diversifying food. Moeldoko gave an example of Indonesia developing non-rice foods such as sago and sorghum.

"Regional cooperation in the development of non-rice food needs to be strengthened," he added.

Third, actor or farmer transformation. Moeldoko highlighted the problem of the regeneration of farmers in the region and the world. Farmers are getting older and it is difficult to attract young people. To answer this challenge, Indonesia is working with FAO to build a farmer regeneration program.

This program includes tiered training from upstream to downstream, including the use of smart farming technology and a profitable way of doing business.

"This method has proven to attract young people to the agricultural sector," said Moeldoko.

Indonesia, with demographic bonuses and 170 million digitally capable people, has the advantage of producing young farmers. In addition, Indonesia also has a large area of land with 333 river fruit and a supportive tropical climate.

With this advantage, Moeldoko believes that Indonesia can become a training center for the regeneration of farmers in Asia Pacific.

"We want the farmer regeneration program initiated with FAO to be one of the training centers for young farmers in Asia Pacific," he said.

"Through this training, we are also open to the exchange of experiences and knowledge between farmers, thereby accelerating the interest of young people in the agricultural sector," concluded Moeldoko.