Food self-sufficiency is a goal every responsible government tries to achieve to avoid uncertainties of future supplies and achieve reasonable food security. Those countries blessed with plenty of water, vast land area and modern farming technologies have ample opportunities to control global food market through exports. Malaysian example in palm oil where it is the global leader can be emulated by other countries also with perseverance and dedicated pursuit. Indonesia is another country that has the potential to become a major player in international food landscape if adequate efforts are made from within.
"Given the global scenario, Indonesia must take full advantage of the situation by shoring up the food supply for its citizens, while at the same time becoming a food supplier to the rest of Asia and beyond. The country has all the necessary attributes — climate, plentiful rainfall, arable land and the necessary manpower — to become a major global food supplier. This will not happen automatically, however. It will take vision, the right policy environment and modern management to realize this opportunity. The two biggest challenges facing the government are land resources and the necessary policies to attract private investment into the sector. Potentially, the government can set aside 12 million hectares for large-scale food cultivation. This utilization of land, which would otherwise be left unproductive, would be a tremendous resource that could boost economic growth and create wealth. It could lead to the development of food processing and service industries that would create millions of jobs across the country".
Indonesia is already a major player in the global market with respect to palm oil, spices, tea and rice. As the largest economy in South Asia with a GDP of $ 511.7 billion and a per capita annual income of $ 3979, the country has the necessary core strength to build further on its varied resources. Being a democracy it has its own limitations in increasing the pace of reforms and decision taking unlike China where communism still prevails but with more exposure to international developments, Indonesia is bound to be a super power in the global arena in the near future.
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment