Written by : Lia
Dahliasari
NIM 1701344163
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I just bought rice from the supermarket
nearby my rented room. I wonder that most of them are imported from other countries.
The imported foods are sale at supermarkets, but also at street markets. I
thought about free trade and its impact to Indonesia, including the effect of
free trade on agriculture and food security in Indonesia. How Indonesia can
compete in a free trade while Indonesia to import food to supply food needs? It
is interesting to discuss. Rice is the staple
food of Indonesian. Indonesia
imported food staples. It seems that, Indonesia should be oriented to the
mercantilism view that seeks to export production materials state by pressing
imported foreign products.
Indonesia is a country with abundant
natural resources, fertile soil, and the potential to be an agricultural
country that can compete with other countries. However, the fact, Indonesia is
the importer and more 'likes' with foreign products. Indonesia do not get
sufficient food needs, it affects food security in Indonesia.
Food Security, according to the World
Health Organization is comprised of three main components, such as food
availability, food access, and food utilization. Food availability is the
ability to have enough food for a number of basic needs. Access to food is the
ability to have the resources, both economically and physically, to get
nutritious food. Utilization of food is the ability to utilize food properly
and precisely in proportion.
Indonesian state has an important role
as food producers in the world. Indonesia is the world's third largest rice
producer after China and India. Indonesia's contribution to global rice
production by 8.5% or 51 million tons. China and India as major producers of
rice contributed 54%. Vietnam and Thailand are traditionally a rice exporting
countries only contributed 5.4% and 3.9%. (source:
BPS).
In agriculture, Indonesia has tremendous agricultural potential; Palm oil,
rubber, and cocoa production of Indonesia moved dominate the world market.
However, in the context of food production, almost every year Indonesia has
always problem with the supply of rice. Indonesian rice production was so high
that can’t supply the needs of the population, consequently Indonesia still has
to import rice from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, India, Pakistan, and
Myanmar.
Based on Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) 2013 During the Vietnam became the largest supplier of imported rice in Indonesia. Of the total 472 thousand tons of rice worth U.S. $ 246 million were imported, Vietnam dominates and send as many as 171 286 tons, worth U.S. $ 97.3 million. Import rice from Vietnam accounted for 36.3 percent of total Indonesian rice imports last year. Thailand in the second level with sending 194 633 tonnes of rice worth U.S. $ 61.7 million. While India in order to export 107 538 tonnes of rice as the third supplier country worth U.S. $ 44.9 million to Indonesia. Pakistan imported 75 813 tonnes of rice worth U.S. $ 29.9 million. Myanmar as well as in the order of the number of 18,450 tons or U.S. $ 6.5 million.
Based on Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) 2013 During the Vietnam became the largest supplier of imported rice in Indonesia. Of the total 472 thousand tons of rice worth U.S. $ 246 million were imported, Vietnam dominates and send as many as 171 286 tons, worth U.S. $ 97.3 million. Import rice from Vietnam accounted for 36.3 percent of total Indonesian rice imports last year. Thailand in the second level with sending 194 633 tonnes of rice worth U.S. $ 61.7 million. While India in order to export 107 538 tonnes of rice as the third supplier country worth U.S. $ 44.9 million to Indonesia. Pakistan imported 75 813 tonnes of rice worth U.S. $ 29.9 million. Myanmar as well as in the order of the number of 18,450 tons or U.S. $ 6.5 million.
The reasons why Indonesia supposed to
import rices that Indonesian population consume 154 kg per person/year. Compare
this with the consumption in China is only 90 kg, 74 kg India, Thailand 100 kg,
and 100 kg of Philippine. This resulted in Indonesia's rice needs be supplied
if only relying on domestic production.
Then the climate is affecting the
process of plant, determine seed, and fertilizer use. Not to mention the
existence of a natural disaster. Ultimately results in decreased food
production.
In addition to household consumption of rice is high and the climate, agricultural land is getting narrower. The transfer of the functions of agricultural land into non-agricultural land.
In addition to household consumption of rice is high and the climate, agricultural land is getting narrower. The transfer of the functions of agricultural land into non-agricultural land.
The dependence on imported raw
materials of food due to the high cost of transportation in Indonesia, which
reached 34 cents per kilometer. If we compare with Thailand, China, and
Vietnam, an average of 22 cents per kilometer. Government policies also play a
role in determining whether import or not to other countries; such
liberalization.
Liberalization of agricultural trade is
determined by free trade (1995, Agreement on Agriculture, WTO), its caused by
the policies and practices of food to hand over the affairs of the market
(1998, IMF Letter of Intent), a result state into free trade henchmen. Domestic
subsidy to Indonesian farmers continue to decrease (land, irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, technology and price incentives).
On the other hand, the export subsidy of food by overproduction countries like
U.S. and the European Union and its companies actually increased. Indonesia
flooded by cheaper food items, so that the market price of Indonesia domestic
destroyed. This makes Indonesian farmers unable to compete in the International
trade. And, free trade gives bad impact for the system of Indonesian
agriculture. THe liberalization of the Indonesian policy system depends on
international markets (prices and commodity trends). Indonesia no longer act as
exporters, but importers for its food staples.
Actually rice import policy can also be
a challenge for farmers to improve rice production and quality. The farmers are required to produce not just
rely on the quantity but also the quality. Obviously this is a bit difficult in
the absence of government support. This is due to the relatively underdeveloped
local farmers from foreign farmers, especially in technology. The government
must give assurance market as an opportunity to invite farmers to plant
commodity crops spicy.
By regulating the marketing of rice so
the price remains low, the government actually pressed farmers unfairly.
Although successive leaders promising agricultural development with a variety
of terms and programs, no rice problem eventually. President who floated the
idea to revitalize agriculture, for example, until now not clear whether in the
agricultural sector is being revitalized and capable to control the welfare of
farmers.
From the experience of developed
countries that subsidize agriculture on a large scale, the lessons that can be
drawn based monoculture of paddy (rice) farmers will never prosper.
It is time for a political end to cheaper rice’s prices to encourage sustainable agricultural development while its expanding diversification of processed food products to guard strengthening food sovereignty in order to break the chain of imported rice.
It is time for a political end to cheaper rice’s prices to encourage sustainable agricultural development while its expanding diversification of processed food products to guard strengthening food sovereignty in order to break the chain of imported rice.
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Based on mercantilism, Indonesia should
strive to improve the quality and quantity of food products in the country and
reduce food imports. If this happens, the natural resources and fertile land
can be used with either. The efforts that government can do to reduce imports to fix the
price of basic foods that give the benefit for farmers and consumers, not to
depend on international prices. Food controlled by the state and used for the
welfare of the people. Increase the technology to support agriculture, farmers
incentives for food commodities, especially seeds, fertilizers, technology and
purchasing certainty. Because basically, every country should try to improve
food security in the country and reduce dependence on foreign products.
However, free trade can not be avoided, but to be faced with a wise and smart
way.
Sorces :
http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2014/02/05/090551264/Tahun-lalu-Indonesia-Impor-Beras-dari-Lima-Negara
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