JAKARTA – Today's history, 36 years ago, on July 21, 1986, President Soeharto received a gold medal from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Soeharto got the gold medal because Indonesia was successful in food self-sufficiency.
The medal was named: From Rice to Self Sufficiency. This success is proof of Soeharto's real commitment to the agricultural sector. Rice self-sufficiency is also used to help FAO fight hunger in Africa.
Soeharto's commitment to advancing the food sector cannot be doubted. Since childhood, Soeharto was familiar with agricultural issues. All because Soeharto was born as the son of a farmer. He had witnessed how difficult the personal life of the farmer was. Especially when it comes to growing rice.
Most farmers are often confused with many problems. From traditional farming methods to access to fertilizers. It's even worse if farmers experience crop failure. This failure makes farmers fall deeper into poverty.
Soeharto also wanted to change it after becoming the number one person in Indonesia. He also scheming. Development in the agricultural sector is the main target. All power and efforts were directed by the New Order (Orba) government. Various policies and supporting facilities are prepared. These include the construction of reservoirs, irrigation, fertilizer factories, and human resource development.
This instrument was the reason why Indonesia was able to become one of the largest rice importers in the world in the 1980s. This is proof that the strategy used by Soeharto in boosting farmer productivity is effective.
“Some of Soeharto's achievements that need to be in bold are his success in achieving self-sufficiency in food, socializing the Disaster Family (KB), and building housing for the people. Food success through self-sufficiency, even resonates throughout the world."
“After decades of being the largest rice importing country in the world, in 1984 – or 17 years after Soeharto assumed the presidency – Indonesia was able to meet its own rice needs, with a production of 25.8 million tons. Compare this with the early days of the New Order, which was only 12.2 million tons,” was written in the Republika Daily as compiled by Sugiono MP in the book Selamat Jalan Pak Harto (2008).
FAO is amazed at Soeharto's achievements. The general who led Indonesia for 32 years was asked by FAO to speak at their official forum. Soeharto was asked to share his experiences and strategies in increasing farmer productivity.
At its peak, the success of food self-sufficiency was fully appreciated by FAO. FAO Director General Dr. Eduard Souma gave Soeharto a gold medal at Bina Graha, Jakarta on July 21, 1986. The medal was proof of Soeharto's commitment to promoting the agricultural sector. Moreover, Indonesia also uses food self-sufficiency to help FAO fight hunger in Africa.
“To journalists the Director General of FAO Dr. Edouard Souma said this was the first time the FAO has awarded the medal on behalf of the 158 member countries. The supreme leader of the world food organization expressed his gratitude to President Soeharto for the speech he delivered at the FAO's 40th anniversary session in Rome, Italy."
"On this occasion, the Director General of FAO will receive the first phase of food assistance from Indonesian farmers for the African people who are suffering from food shortages. rupiah. This is the first time he has experienced as Director General of FAO for ten years as well as by previous officials," wrote the book entitled Presiden RI ke II Jenderal Besar H.M. Soeharto Dalam Berita: 1985-1986 (2008).
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