"Food production in Indonesia in general is actually equal to population growth but it is just barely enough and vulnerable," the vice president said when officiating a ceremony to observe the 31st World Food Day in Bone Bolango district, Gorontalo.
Therefore Boediono said, achieving food security was compulsory in Indonesia, a country with the fourth largest population in the world.
He said that with a possible increase in population growth in the future, food insecurity would continue to haunt the country.
"If we fail to take serious and systematic steps from now on to anticipate food insecurity, it will continue to haunt us," the vice president said.
In reality, he said, Indonesia was blessed with abundant natural resources both at sea and on the land to give more than sufficient food to its people now and in the future.
With the utilization of appropriate technology to manage the country`s natural resources properly, it would be possible to produce food in excess of the needs of the people and even to help meet the world`s food needs.
"Managing the abundant natural resources appropriately and productively is the key to make the people of this nation live in prosperity," the vice president said.
He added that food security should be made a top priority in the national interest, and that food production should not only equal but exceed the people`s demand so that there would be a surplus.
According to the vice president, a food production surplus was needed to deal with unforeseen emergencies.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
