"We must prepare farmers so they can adjust their planting patterns to the (climate) change," the vice president said at the 13th National Week of Farmers and Fishermen here, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Saturday.
Boediono was accompanied by his wife, Herawati, and several ministers including Agriculture Minister Suswono and Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan in the event.
The climate change issue is a serious challenge for all nations, and natural disasters occur more frequently now days, according to him.
All parties especially the government must prepare plans and basic measures for the anticipation of the climate change impacts, he added.
Due to the drastic climate change, farmers not only need the appropriate technical guidance for every location, but also adjust their planting patterns, and provide necessary facilities and infrastructure.
The forestry community also plays important role in addressing the climate change impacts, he said.
"We must take appropriate development strategy without sacrificing forest and environmental preservation," Boediono said before 30,000 participants of the National Week of Farmers and Fishermen.
To maintain the food resilience, food productivity must be increased, he stated.
Land availability is not the main factor crucial for raising food productivity.
"The key to increase productivity is innovation and technology. What we need here is a comprehensive innovation and technology system, not some pieces," he said.
The system must be built to enable the sustainable development of agricultural innovation and technology.
The main actors for the productivity increase are farmers and fishermen. Therefore, it is important to crease conducive condition for farmers and fishermen so they can play their role optimally in raising the food productivity. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
