Prices Of Staples Are Expensive Until There Is A Plan To Import Meat, The DPR Questions Jokowi's Firmness In Stopping Food Imports

Johan Rosihan/Photo: VOI

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Johan Rosihan, is surprised by the government's policy of continuing to issue import permits for food needs. In fact, President Joko Widodo has stated firmly that people's money should not be bought for imported products. It is even proven that some imported goods are labeled as domestic products.

"This is very concerning, our country always depends on imported products. It seems that President Jokowi's directive or appeal about being proud to use domestic production is just a joke and a joke. Due to the fact that import data always increases every year," Johan told reporters, Tuesday, April 5. As a result of rampant imports, Johan then questioned Jokowi's firmness on whether to stop food imports. According to him, domestic farmers are currently experiencing many difficulties, including prices. staple foods that continue to soar as well as rising prices for non-subsidized fertilizers and falling local production due to high production costs.

Johan gave an example for chili commodities, the government can only reason is the weather factor. Whereas the lack of supply of chilies from farmers is due to the declining interest of farmers as a result of low prices in the previous harvest season. "Last month, 1,572 tons of chili were imported with a value of 3 million US dollars, while the government was unable to overcome the lack of chili supply so that it came from local production due to extreme weather problems," said Johan. The PKS politician also asked the government to explain The fall in shallot production, according to him, requires firmness so as not to import shallots during this fasting month and Eid because it will have a negative impact on onion farmers.

"Similarly, the estimated total demand for beef from January-May 2022 is 301,466 tons. Again, it turns out that the government is planning to import 103,019 tons this fasting month," said Johan.

The NTB legislator said that the government actually has a beef production target of 421.4 thousand tons. If the target is achieved, said Johan, actually Indonesia does not need imports to meet the supply of beef until this Eid moment.

"So the basic problem for the government is hard work to empower the potential of national livestock to achieve beef production targets and stop always relying on meat imports," said Johan.

Johan reminded that the movement to love domestic products, as stated by President Jokowi, to dare not to import, should start from the agriculture and livestock sectors. This is because this sector is the economic base of the lives of national farmers and ranchers.

But Johan regretted the helplessness and failure of the government in dealing with the problem of the high cost of a number of food commodities. Such as cooking oil, soybean, beef and chili.

"Especially when the fasting month comes, inflation will increase, even though previously the government has warned the government to be aware of food inflation fluctuations this year," concluded Johan Rosihan.