"The programme is a breakthrough in addressing climate change."Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and other developing countries in the world are expected to anticipate the global food crisis as early as possible, according to a minister.
"The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) representatives have stated that the world has not yet been hit by a global food crisis, but the organization has warned that the food crisis threat is real," Agriculture Minister H Suswono said during the opening of the D-8 meeting on food security in Senggigi, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Friday.
He added that the international food organization warned all developing countries to be prepared for a global food crisis.
"Indonesia is still considered to be safe from the food crisis threat, but it has been encouraged to take anticipatory steps, such as utilizing residential courtyards as plantation areas," Suswono noted.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the Sustainable Food Houses Region programme in an effort to boost the country's food security.
"The programme is a breakthrough in addressing climate change," Suswono pointed out.
"Besides assisting in the provision of food for residents, the programme is also expected to reduce household expenditure by anywhere between Rp200.000 and Rp500.000 per month," he said.
"Households can reduce their expenses with home-grown vegetables and home-raised eggs. The programme will also be adopted by the FAO," Suswono stated.
He said the FAO expressed interest in adopting the programme developed by the Ministry of Agriculture.
"They asked us to make a film on the programme's benefits, which would they would use as a global module. We`ve made the module and hope that the FAO can globally promote it. This is one of Indonesia`s contributions to the world," Suswono added.
The D-8 meeting was held in Lombok on October 3-4. It was attended by about 70-100 representatives from eight developing countries: Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey and Indonesia.
(U.A050/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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