GOVT INTRODUCES CONCEPT OF 'CORPORATION' TO BOOST FARMERS' WELFARE

by Andi Abdussalam

         Jakarta, Sept 13 (Antara) - The Indonesian government continues to seek ways to improve the welfare of over 50 million farmers involved in one of the key sectors of the country's economy.

             Although the share of agriculture sector contribution to the national gross domestic product has declined significantly in the last half century, today it still provides income for the majority of Indonesian households.

             Hence, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) convened his relevant ministers to a limited meeting in the Presidential Office on Tuesday (Sep 12) to introduce his concept of 'farmers corporation' in an effort to improve the welfare of farmers whose number account for about 41 percent of the total labor force in the country.

             Data showed by  Wikipedia indicated that in 2013, the agricultural sector contributed 14.43 percent to national GDP, a slight decline compared to a decade earlier (2003) which reached 15.19 percent. 

GOVT NEEDS TO TAKE FARMERS' SIDE TO PROTECT THEM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 19 (Antara) - With a population of about 250 million and an annual growth of 1.5 percent, Indonesia is facing a challenge in raising its food production.          "We have numerous challenges, but foremost among these is the increase in population. The acreage under rice fields continues to shrink at a time when we need a two-fold increase in food production," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said while addressing a World Food Day anniversary celebration in Ogan Ilir District, South Sumatra, on Saturday.          Indonesian farmers who account for 31 million or about 12 percent of the population, play a crucial role in enhancing the country's food production. Therefore, the government should also pay more attention to farmers, instead of merely thinking of raising production through increasing the role of corporations.          According to the National Alliance for Prosperous Villages, the government, in its efforts to increase food production, is giving too much attention to corporations.          "The government gives more attention to corporations in its efforts to increase food production, especially regarding use of seeds, fertilizers and tractors, with farmers only being treated as captive users," Coordinator of the National Alliance for Prosperous Villages, Tejo Wahyu Jatmiko, stated on Friday.