The Superiority of Regional Food Commodities from a National Resilience Perspective Can Increase Food Independence of Local Communities

 

1.                Introduction.

a.             General.   

National Resilience (Tannas) is one of the things that must be considered and implemented by every country. Although the term Tannas can be considered uniquely Indonesian, every country must pay attention to this element. National resilience itself is defined as the dynamic condition of a nation, embodying tenacity and resilience. Tannas encompasses the ability to develop national strength in facing and overcoming all challenges, threats, obstacles, and disturbances, both internal and external. Therefore, Tannas can be described as a concept for regulating and implementing state governance through a welfare approach. (prosperity approach) and security approach (security approach) to realize food independence.

Food is a nation's most fundamental need. Many countries, with adequate economic resources, have experienced collapse due to their inability to meet the food needs of their populations. History also shows that food strategies are often used to gain control of enemy defenses. With food dependence, a nation will find it difficult to escape the grip of invaders/enemies. Therefore, efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting national food needs should not be viewed solely from the perspective of economic profit and loss but must be recognized as a fundamental component of national resilience that must be protected.

Indonesia's population in mid-2012 reached 257.516.167, with a growth rate of 6,4%. This figure indicates the significant food supply required. If this high demand is not matched by increased food production, it will actually pose a threat. latent This will disrupt the rate of domestic production growth, which continues to decline. Without efforts to increase food production, it will undoubtedly create a mismatch between demand and availability, resulting in economic disparities.[1] National food demand continues to rise, driven by Indonesia's high population growth rate and rising per capita consumption. Therefore, the government needs to anticipate rising domestic food demand by increasing production adequately through the development of superior regional food commodities, ensuring food sufficiency without the need for imports.

Food policies that lead to long-term food insecurity, as mentioned above, demonstrate that Indonesia lacks robust food security, with the performance of the agricultural sector still hampered by numerous factors. Therefore, achieving food self-sufficiency will enhance national pride, improve public welfare, conserve foreign exchange, secure food supplies, create extensive employment opportunities, and serve as a foundation for solid economic development.

              b.             Purpose and objectives

The purpose of this essay is to analyze and contribute to the scientific understanding that the superiority of regional food commodities, through the implementation of Tannas (National Food Security) understanding, can become regional "ammunition" towards food security—independence. The goal is to contribute ideas to relevant institutions or parties regarding national food security.

c.              Scope and sequence

The scope of writing and studying this essay is limited to discussing the advantages of regional food commodities from the perspective of national resilience which can increase food independence for local communities, with the following writing systematics:

1. Introduction.  

2. Conception and implementation of Tannas to realize food security and independence and the factors that influence it.

3. The Relationship between Tannas and Food Independence.

4. Closing and Conclusion.

d.             Definition and Affirmation of Title

To provide an understanding, it is necessary to explain the meaning accompanied by an explanation of the title of this essay. FirstNational resilience, or Tannas as it is better known, is a dynamic condition of the Indonesian nation that encompasses all aspects of integrated national life. Tannas is also supported by tenacity and resilience that contain the ability to develop national strength, in facing and overcoming all challenges, threats, obstacles and disturbances, both from outside and from within, to ensure the identity, integrity, and survival of the nation and state, as well as the struggle to achieve its national goals.[2]

Secondly,, food independence is the fulfillment of sufficient food, both in quantity and quality, safe, equitable and affordable for all households is the main goal in the economic development of every country in the world, whether it is a producer country and net-exporter or importer of food. For industrialized countries that are poor in agricultural resources such as Singapore, this goal can be met by increasing the purchasing power of the people and the economic capacity of the country. For most developing countries, meeting food needs primarily relies on domestic production capabilities.

The concept of food security adopted by Indonesia can be seen from Law No. 7 of 1996 concerning food, Article 1 Paragraph 17 which states that "Food security is a condition where household (RT) food needs are met, which is reflected in the availability of sufficient food, both in quantity and quality, safe, evenly distributed and affordable."[3] This law aligns with the 1992 definition of food security as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), namely, access for every household or individual to obtain food at all times for a healthy life. World Food Summit In 1996, food security was defined as the access of every RT or individual to obtain food at any time for the purposes of a healthy life with food acceptance requirements in accordance with local values ​​or culture.[4]

 

2.                Implementation The Advantages of Regional Food Commodities from the Perspective of National Resilience and the factors that influence it.

Food security is a strategic issue in a country's development, especially in developing countries, because it has a dual role: as one of the main development targets and one of the main instruments (intermediate goals) of economic development (Sen, 1989; Simatupang, 1999). The first role is the function of food security as a prerequisite for ensuring access to food for all citizens in sufficient quantity and quality for a healthy, productive, and healthy existence. Access to "sufficient" food is a human right that must always be guaranteed by the state together with the community (FAO, 1998; Byron, 1988). This has been recognized by Indonesia as outlined in the Food Security Law No. 7 of 1996.

The second role is an implication of the function of food security as a prerequisite for the development of creative and productive human resources, which are the main determinants of innovation in science, technology, and productive labor. Food security functions as one of the determinants of a stable and conducive economic environment for development (Timmer, 1997). Every country is always striving to build a solid food security system. Therefore, it is very rational and reasonable for Indonesia to make the program to strengthen national food security a top priority for its development.

The concept of national food security, as stipulated in Law No. 7 of 1996, mandates that the government, on the one hand, is obligated to ensure adequate food supply, in terms of quantity, quality, and price stability. On the other hand, it is obligated to increase public income, particularly among low-income groups.

In 2005, through Law No. 11/2005, the government ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC). This Covenant contains, among other things, the state's responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to food for its people. In other words, food issues are human rights whose fulfillment is the state's responsibility. Therefore, the government must amend all laws that are not in line with the provisions of the ECOSOC Covenant, including the food issue in Law No. 7/1996. There are at least 4 reasons why the law must be amended: (1) protection of the people's right to food by the state is a fundamental obligation; (2) the law can be a guarantor of the fulfillment of the government's responsibility to improve the welfare of its people through the provision of sustainable food; (3) the food crisis that has hit the world (since 2007) is a valuable lesson about the importance of a nation having food sovereignty to ensure food sufficiency for its citizens; and (4) economic development can be sustainable if the people's basic right to food is fulfilled.

Irham (2008) argues that Law No. 7/1996 is not only inconsistent with the Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, but also fails to address these four aspects. For example, Law No. 7/1996 "eliminates" the state's obligations and responsibilities in fulfilling the right to food, by shifting some of the burden of this obligation to the community (Article 45). Furthermore, he believes that the definition of "government" in this law must be more clearly defined, specifically whether it refers to the central government or regional governments (Pemda). This becomes crucial after the implementation of regional autonomy (Otda). Irham even argues that in the context of regional autonomy, the regional governments should play a central role in fulfilling food availability.[5]

Food autonomy is the authority of regions to determine strategic policies related to food issues within their administrative areas. These policies cover quality, availability, distribution, and the cultural values ​​and local wisdom of the local community, including food characteristics and consumption behaviors. Ideally, a food autonomous region is capable of producing, processing, and marketing quality food that aligns with the characteristics and food consumption behaviors of the community within its administrative area.[6]

Food autonomy has at least four advantages. First, based on local resources that are resilient to economic crises. Unpredictable global economic fluctuations lead to food price uncertainty. As a result, food prices are influenced not only by production costs but also by exchange rates, fiscal and monetary policies, foreign relations, and so on. So many unpredictable variables make food availability and prices vulnerable to economic crises. Secondly,Shortening the trade chain. The main factor in the high price of domestic food compared to imported food is the long trade chain. Local farmers' limited land ownership, infrastructure, technology, continuity, and relatively low production capacity create fertile ground for loan sharks and middlemen to profit. Food autonomy with a relatively narrow marketing reach (within a single district/city or province) can shorten this chain. Third, stimulating and strengthening the local economy. Affordable prices due to short trade chains will improve community welfare, which in turn strengthens national economic stability. Fourth, strengthening community institutions. Narrow territories and close community ties provide good social capital for the development of community institutions, such as farmer, fisherman, laborer, and trader institutions. A well-institutionalized community can carry out its controlling and supporting towards the food security system.

The decentralized food security system across all autonomous regions encompasses planning, implementation, and evaluation, along with the decentralization of 85 percent of the Ministry of Agriculture's budget to these regions, with the remainder allocated to central government operations. The central government's role is limited to formulating strategic and normative policies, while the technical implications on the ground are delegated to the autonomous regional governments. This is because regions, as the basis for the existence of a dynamic society, must consider food security locally, ensuring that people have access to food to sustain their ever-changing lives.

Regional autonomy has provided flexibility in setting development priorities for each region, particularly regarding food security. However, autonomous regions still face a number of challenges in food security, including: First, a lack of regional understanding of the importance of food security. Consequently, food policy is not a priority. Regions prioritize policies to increase their regional revenue (PAD) over food security policies. This is because increasing PAD is one indicator of the success of regional autonomy, alongside increasing regional gross domestic product (PDRD). However, without realizing it, the threat of malnutrition and hunger can be experienced by the community at any time.

Secondly,, regional lack of understanding in managing their land use. The transformation of the national economy from an agrarian one to a manufacturing industry requires a significant amount of land for the industrial sector. This is offset by regional efforts to actively attract investors. Inappropriate land management will result in a decline in productive agricultural land, resulting in agricultural land being increasingly marginalized and occupying marginal areas.

ThirdObjective conditions in each region indicate that not all areas have suitable land for agricultural activities. Therefore, areas lacking suitable land must intensify agriculture and purchase food products through inter-regional trade.

Thus, the Regional Government (Pemda) must create a food management program through commodity superiority to protect against vulnerability and scarcity towards food independence. The strategies/steps of the Regional Government include:[7]

First, Agricultural land extensionAgricultural land extension aims to expand agricultural production areas, thereby increasing current national food production. This extension is primarily for rice, soybeans, sugar, and salt due to the high import-to-production ratio. The expanded land is intended for poor and homeless farmers (<0.1 ha) who possess farming skills and experience. Potential dryland of 31 million hectares can be utilized for agricultural purposes. Currently, only 4 million hectares of dryland have been cleared for food crops and plantations, which have been distributed to more than 1 million farming families. This expansion is being carried out in large and wealthy provinces such as Kalimantan, Jambi, Irian Jaya, and South Sumatra. The Ministry of Agriculture is the coordinator of this program, supported by relevant ministries and local governments. 

Secondly,, Intensification. This program aims to increase production through increased agricultural productivity. Intensification is aimed at fertile and productive agricultural lands that are already food barns, such as Kerawang, Subang, and other northern coastal areas in West Java, East Java, Central Java, and other provinces. The program emphasizes increasing cropping times (from 1 to 2, from 2 to 3) and ensuring timely planting, supported by agricultural equipment, water requirements (new irrigation networks), fertilizers, seeds, and integrated pest and disease control.

Third, Diversification. Diversification activities aim to increase the production of alternative staple foods to rice, reduce rice consumption, and increase the consumption of balanced and nutritious alternative staple foods based on local foods. Diversification is carried out by accelerating the implementation of post-harvest technologies and local food processing that have been researched into industry. Support from the equipment and machinery sector and credit are crucial during the transformation from laboratory to industrial scale to ensure efficient production processes.

Fourth, Revitalization of Post-Harvest Industry and Food Processing.  Revitalization/restructuring of the post-harvest and food processing industry is aimed at 1) suppressing yield losses and quality decline due to poor post-harvest handling technology, 2) preventing raw materials from damage and 3) processing raw materials into semi-finished materials and food products. Activities carried out include the implementation of effective and efficient post-harvest machinery and technology; threshing and drying at the farmer, collector, KUD and post-harvest machinery service business levels in production centers (rice, soybeans). Sugar industry productivity is increased by modernizing sugar processing equipment and machinery.

The development of the non-rice food industry in production centers is encouraged, enabling the processing of raw materials into raw materials and raw materials into food products. This will foster the growth and development of industrialization and the food agro-industry in rural areas. This program will have a broad impact on job creation and reducing the rate of urbanization. The type of food processing industry developed will be tailored to the potential raw materials and market availability.

Fifth, Revitalization and Restructuring of Food InstitutionsThe existence, role, and function of food institutions such as farmer groups, SMEs, and cooperatives need to be revitalized and restructured to support the development of food self-sufficiency. Partnerships between institutions should be encouraged to foster business growth in the food sector. Funding for this activity will involve coordination between ministries/institutions and agencies to develop new policies for food institutions. Funding requirements will be allocated to the budgets of each ministry/institution.

Sixth, Macro PolicyFood policies need to be reviewed and reviewed, particularly those that support food security within 1-5 years. Several issues need to be reviewed, including food product taxes, levies, import tariffs, the investment climate, the use of domestic production, and business credit. The Ministry of Finance will coordinate this program, assisted by relevant ministries and local governments. Input can be expanded from the private sector, farmer organizations, and cooperatives. Funding is needed for coordination meetings and inter-agency policy development.

Regional food independence through commodity superiority is highly specific. This is due to the varying capabilities and availability of resources in each region. Centralized commodity policies have led to ecological, socio-economic, and social problems. cultural shock At the regional level. Regional diversity gives rise to differences in the characteristics and magnitude of existing food problems. Therefore, regional governments need to be given the authority to determine superior commodities region. Commodity decentralization has three advantages. First, related to public acceptability. Regional food commodities don't just emerge; they're the result of a long-standing community consensus. This kind of social capital will protect local markets from the onslaught of imported food.

Secondly,Ecological sustainability. The first to suffer from ecological damage are the people who inhabit the area. Through the dynamics and development of their interactions with the environment, humans have discovered appropriate methods for producing food in a given area. Therefore, food production based on local wisdom is more ecologically sustainable.

Third, superior regional food commodities become regional assets. Currently, food commodities are economic commodities. Superior regional foods can be a means of promotion and tourism, which can increase regional income.

Food autonomy and commodity decentralization, with autonomous authority, will ensure food availability in a region. Community institutions are also effective in monitoring environmental sustainability. If a food crisis occurs, local governments can leverage advances in information technology and infrastructure to address the crisis as quickly as possible.

Matters requiring the central government's attention include monitoring staple food prices, resource availability, disasters, and pest infestations, which can lead to disparities in food prices between regions, which, if left unchecked, will disrupt food availability.

 

3. The relationship between National Resilience (Tannas) and Food Independence through the Superiority of Regional Commodities.

National resilience (Tannas) is a dynamic condition of the Indonesian nation that encompasses all aspects of integrated national life, containing tenacity and resilience that contain the ability to develop national strength in facing and overcoming all challenges, threats, obstacles, and disturbances, both from outside and from within, to guarantee the identity, integrity, survival of the nation and state, and the struggle to achieve its national goals.

With this understanding, the relationship between Tannas and food independence is like two sides of the same coin, inseparable. This means that Tannas cannot be achieved without food security and independence. Likewise, the development of food security cannot be separated from regional autonomy (Otda). Both are essential to support food security at the household level. In the Otda era, the role of autonomous regions is crucial in increasing local food stocks and ensuring they are sufficient for all their citizens. If the region is poor, the local regent or mayor is responsible for addressing and finding solutions.[8]

The development of globalization and free trade sweeping Indonesia has transformed it into a significant market (consumer). The influx of various imported food products continues to displace local food sources. Ironically, not only imported rice, but almost all food commodities are now entering Indonesia. From Tannas' perspective, this indicates the fragility of national food self-sufficiency.

 Food is strategically important in the national security sector because it is a vital and essential commodity. Therefore, its availability and affordability must be a serious concern for the government. The agricultural sector, especially the food subsector, deserves significant attention. This is because this subsector will supply the staple food needs of all Indonesians. It can be said that the development of the food subsector is the foundation for rebuilding the national economy. If food needs can be met, the Indonesian people can achieve much in every aspect of their lives. Failure to provide food can cause severe shocks that shake national stability and weaken national resilience.

Government policies that emphasize price incentives in the form of input subsidies and price supports are not effective, efficient, or sustainable for promoting agricultural growth, let alone spurring rural development. The key to spurring agricultural and rural growth is increasing production capacity and productivity through investment, technological and institutional innovation, and infrastructure improvements.

Food security policy is an integral and synergistic part of policies aimed at achieving high growth and poverty alleviation. This strategy avoids the policy dilemmas that are common in food security policies. This strategy requires the ability to revitalize agriculture through programs for superior regional commodities. Essentially, this strategy is consistent with the implementation of the currently launched Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Revitalization Program (RPPK).

 

4.       Conclusion

National Resilience (Tannas) is one of the things that must be considered and implemented by every country. Therefore, Tannas can be described as a concept for regulating and implementing state governance through a welfare approach. (prosperity approach) and security approach (security approach) to realize food independence.

Structurally/institutionally, the government has proposed a division of roles between the central and regional governments to develop food reserves. The central government would continue to manage rice food reserves, while regional governments would manage non-rice food reserves according to local characteristics and potential.

It is also necessary to divide roles where the central government manages operating stocks, buffer stocks and pipe line stock, while the local government manages reserve stock designated for emergencies such as natural disasters and non-national social conflicts. Another proposal is to adopt a decentralized (rather than centralized) approach to distributing rice stocks for emergencies. This is intended to increase efficiency by reducing coordination, cutting bureaucratic red tape, distributing tasks and authorities, and simultaneously distributing the cost burden between the central and regional governments.

To improve food availability and food self-sufficiency in Indonesia, the government needs to review the achievements of existing food availability policies and address existing challenges by increasing the production of superior commodities in each region. This will improve the Indonesian economy and foster mutually supportive food diversity across regions, as well as greater independence, less dependence on imports, and a more sovereign nation.

The central government must seriously address the symptoms of food insecurity by motivating regional governments to produce food to contribute to national food security and self-sufficiency. This can be achieved through the understanding of Tannas through government officials as well. stockholder in order to protect imported foods from freely entering Indonesia, which could disrupt local food production.

 

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