REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Incumbent presidential candidate Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that rice import is aimed at ensuring food supply adequacy. "Why we import? To ensure the availability of food stock, to stabilize the price," he said during the second round of presidential debate here on Sunday.
The government should have food stock to anticipate disasters and crop failure.
In 1984, he noted, Indonesia had achieved rice self-sufficiency with production reached 21 million tons. In 2018 rice production has reached 33 million tons. With level of consumption of around 29 million tons, there is a surplus of around 2.8 million tons.
In another section of debate, Jokowi said that Indonesia needs firm steps to make good policies for its nation. It is not easy to manage such large country as Indonesia, he said.
Jokowi said he was lucky to have experiences as a mayor of Surakarta and governor of Jakarta to manage Indonesia.
"We want this country to become better and I will use all of energy and authority I have to improve this country," he said.
He said he is not afraid of anything, except God Almighty to improve this country.
"There is nothing I am afraid of, except Allah SWT, to make Indonesia better," he said in his closing statement in the debate.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo Subianto said the Indonesian government is still unable to defend farmers' rights and ensure affordable food prices. As the country is gearing up for industry 4.0, it must consider the impact of artificial intelligence and robotic industry on the reduction of job opportunities, he said in the second round of presidential debate here on Sunday night.
Above all, farmers' welfare must be prioritized, he remarked. "Talking about industry 4.0, we are still unable to defend our farmers. That is what we are questioning now. Neither are we able to ensure affordable food prices," he said.
Prabowo further stressed that Indonesia must be able to meet food needs on its own without imports. In his vision and mission, he vowed to ensure food supplies at affordable prices if he is elected president for the 2019-2024 term.
Food is one of the yardsticks of a country's success, Prabowo said. He also said that Indonesia will be considered successful if it can meet food needs on its own at affordable prices.
He said food producers including cattle raisers, farmers and fishermen must have adequate income to improve their welfare. "It's good to talk about industry 4.0 but more importantly, Indonesia must be able to supply foods on its own without imports," he said.
The second debate took place at the Sultan Hotel Jakarta on Sunday night and was guided by two moderators, Tommy Tjokro and Anisha Dasuki. Debates with the theme of energy, natural resources, environment, food and infrastructure will only be followed by candidates.
The 2019 presidential election was followed by two pairs of candidates, Jokowi-Ma'ruf and Prabowo-Sandiaga.
February 18, 2019 at 08:40PM from Republika Online RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2BC6gHJ
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