Ministry of Agriculture Discusses Food and Nutrition Issues Together with FAO and WFP

By : Wiyanto Dan Aldo Bella Putra | Friday, July 20 2018 - 18:00 IWST

Agung Hendriadi Kepala Badan Ketahanan Pangan Kementan (Foto Dok Industry.co.id)

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Agricultural development is very important in fulfilling the food and nutritional needs of the community, therefore _Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program (WFP) encourage the government to adopt the role of agriculture in the development of nutrition.

"We welcome the idea that the Ministry of Agriculture has many beneficial programs to encourage the development of food and nutrition," said the Head of the Food Security Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agung Hendriadi, when receiving a visit from FAO and WFP representatives, his workplace on Monday (16/7).

On the occasion, Agung explained, Ministry of Agriculture has activities aimed at strengthening food security and improving family nutrition, including Sustainable Food House (KRPL / Home Garden) and Prosperous People's Poverty Surgery Program (WORK).

The visit of FAO Representatives to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Stephen Rudgard, and WFP representative Saidamon Bodamaev is to strengthen cooperation in food and nutrition programs.

In this meeting also discussed the plan of FAO involvement in World Food Day (HPS) / World Food Day commemoration to be held in October 2018 in South Kalimantan Province.

Associated with the theme of HPS "Zero Hunger", FAO expects input on specific issues that need to be raised.

In response, Agung proposed land use issues, including swamp / swamp area, for food security and food export issues.

"What I propose is very important, considering there is a lot of land and tidal / swamp land in Kalimantan, and its potential is very much used for food security," said Agung.

On the other hand, Agung conveyed that FAO and WFP cooperation with related Ministries / Agencies in the Government of Indonesia in the form of Food Security Monitoring Bulletin is good enough.

Nevertheless, according to Agung, to provide more benefits need to get various inputs for improvement. For that, Bulletin also need to be submitted to all Work Unit in Ministry of Agriculture.

Currently the issues discussed in the Bulletin include: Climate and Weather, Food Security, and Special Focus on food and nutrition issues in line with actual issues in Indonesia