"In short, it is how our food security can be maintained, how productivity can be increased through the use of technology and systems, as well as how the environment can be preserved. Unless the environment is preserved, everything will come to a standstill, as all plants need water," he noted while opening the Jakarta Food Security Summit here on Thursday.
The vice president remarked that one of the problems currently faced by Indonesia was a decline in the area of agricultural land that has caused a food shortage.
Kalla pointed to the decrease in agricultural land due to the rising population in the country, which is estimated to reach 350 million by 2045, and will certainly increase the demand for food.
"It means the demand for food will continue to increase at a rate of about three percent a year. Indonesia must be ready to meet the increasing demand through production with regard to a change in the consumption patterns and depletion of agricultural land owing to urbanization," he explained.
The vice president also urged to conduct technological research in the field of agriculture in the region to increase food productivity in the midst of the depleting agricultural land.
"Research on rice has been conducted in Subang, rubber research in Sumatra, and sugar research in Pasuruan. Certainly, businessmen must support the research work with regard to boosting productivity, with the hope that the use of technology will help to tackle the challenges posed by the rising population or climate change that may affect food productivity," he added.
Reported by Fransiska Ninditya
(H-YH/INE/B003)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
