Jakarta – The Chief of Staff to the President, General (ret.) Dr. Moeldoko held a bilateral meeting with Director General Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dong Yu after attending an invitation as a speaker in the World Food Forum (WFF) held by FAO in Rome, Italy on 16 to 20 October 2023.
During the bilateral meeting, Moeldoko conveyed his ideas for developing “Tropical Agriculture” and young generation involvement in overcoming the threat of the global food crisis. He emphasized that the development of tropical agriculture is in accordance with the geographical conditions of Indonesia as an archipelagic country also located in the equator.
“Food and agriculture transformation system needs to be implemented to overcome this global situation. This development must ensure sustainability and be based on existing resources,” said Moeldoko.
Not only in Indonesia, Moeldoko also proposed this food and agricultural transformation for other countries and equatorial regions. There are three things that characterize tropical agriculture. First, regions that are rich in diversity of resources, and in smaller territorial owned specific resources that can be developed. Second, areas that are rich with microorganisms, and encourage accelerated changes in the quality of existing food. Third, areas with local wisdom as a basis to develop specific technology.
Moeldoko added that the use of these resources needs to be directed towards sustainable circular economic activities. The development of food and agriculture in tropical regions will be directed at developing partnerships and joint efforts focusing on mutual prosperity. For this reason, Moeldoko hopes that FAO can support this transformation both technically and strategically.
“By respecting diversity, it can have implications for the diversity of food sources as well as being based on the development of the localization of economic activity to bring simultaneous prosperity for the local people,” Moeldoko added.
Apart from that, Moeldoko had initiated several actual steps involving young generations to raise awareness for the food crisis through the Presidential Staff Course. Thus, he hopes that FAO will also support the initiation of activities involving young farmers in tropical and island regions. “The future belongs to the young generations, we hope many agricultural developments amongst tropical regions will be more focused and sustainable in following years,” he added.
Meanwhile, FAO Director General, Qu Dong Yu expressed full support for the initiative. He said that Indonesia, as the 4th largest population country in the world, could provide positive values, including in the agricultural sector. “FAO and myself can be relied on as partners, we certainly support this good initiative. Hand in hand, we will be more visible and impactful to the world,” said Qu Dong Yu.
