"(This is especially important as farmers' production continues to decline, and the contribution of the forestry, agriculture, and fisheries sectors to the gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 3.54 percent (year-on-year) in the 2024 first quarter," Zon noted in a statement received here on Wednesday.
He made this request at a meeting involving the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO), and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) held in Bali, Wednesday.
The meeting was held to discuss the parliaments' role in the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (ASEAN-RAI).
According to Zon, the issue of farmers' welfare needs should be highlighted as it is not yet stable.
Citing data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), he noted that the income of small-scale farmers only reaches around Rp5.23 million (around US$322) per year, while other farmers earn Rp22.9 million (US$1,411) annually.
"On the other hand, the demographic factor increases food demand, and 280 million Indonesian people need to eat three times a day. At the same time, climate change triggers extreme weather and water shortage, which affect agriculture," Zon pointed out.
To anticipate this, he suggested an omnibus law for the agricultural sector and efforts to strengthen the Ministry of Agriculture's functions.
"Agricultural affairs need to be mandatory in the regions as an affirmative step in the agricultural sector," he remarked.
Furthermore, Zon assessed that ASEAN-RAI can navigate efforts for agricultural transformation, such as those related to the development of agribusiness and steps to increase investment in the sector.
"The guide is useful not only for the agricultural sector but also for national governance. Hopefully, through this forum, parliaments can support efforts to strengthen agricultural governance and farmers' business in the future," he stated.
Related news: ASEAN requires parliaments' support to build prosperous SE Asia
Related news: Maintaining ASEAN's solidity crucial to play central role: Jokowi
Related news: Parliament's role needed in preparing ASEAN 2045 agenda: Jokowi
Translator: Melalusa K, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
