Is there a national food security policy with implementation/action?

Indonesia introduced a new Food Law in 2012 that sought to strengthen the principles of food sovereignty and food self-reliance in ensuring food security by giving priority to the domestic production of staples. Self-sufficiency targets exist for 5 key staples — rice, maize, soybeans, sugar and beef. The new Indonesian government has revised the timeframe for achieving self-sufficiency to 2017 for rice, maize and soybeans, and 2019 for beef and sugar.  http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/ins139381E.pdf

The objectives of the Food Law

The food system is organized in order to: (1) increase production of food in an independent manner; (2) provide diverse food and fulfill safety, quality and nutrition requirements for consumption; (3) achieve food sufficiency level, especially staple food with reasonable and affordable prices according to the necessity of the people; (4) facilitate or improve food access for the people, especially people with food insecurity and malnutrition; (5) increase added value and competitiveness of food commodity in domestic and foreign market; (6) increase knowledge and awareness of the people concerning food safety, quality and nutrition for consumption; (7) improve welfare for farmers, fishermen, fish farmers, and food businesses; and (8) protect and develop the rich resources of national food.

The scope of implementation of the Food Law

The scope of implementation of the Food Law No. 18/2012 includes: (1) food planning; (2) food availability; (3) food affordability; (4) consumption of food and nutrition; (5) food safety; (6) food label and advertisement; (7) food control; (8) food information system; (9) food research and development; (10) food institution; (11) community participation on food; and (12) food investigation.^[1]

 To foster self-sufficiency, Indonesia provides significant market price support and fertiliser subsidies to agricultural producers, amounting to around IDR 24 trillion in 2014 (USD 2 billion).

The food security programme for rice is pursued through self-sufficiency targets; price stabilisation; and a “rice for the poor” (RASKIN) programme, which delivers rice at subsidised prices, prioritising poor or near-poor households. Fertiliser and other input subsidies are also being increasingly used to stimulate domestic production.

The Food Law covers three significant areas which were not governed by the 1996 Food Law, ie imports of food; the halal requirement; and the establishment of a new non-ministerial agency in-charge of food matters.

Food Imports

The Food Law stipulates that primary food sources must originate from domestic production. Food may be imported if domestic food production and reserves are not sufficient to meet domestic demand. The Government is required to establish policies and regulations governing food imports which must not have a negative impact on the sustainability of the agri-business, food production growth, or the welfare of farmers, fishermen, fish cultivators, or micro and small food entrepreneurs.

The Food Law requires imported food to comply with food safety, quality and nutrition level requirements and must not violate religious or cultural beliefs.

 

The Halal Requirement

Even though the Food Law does not include “halal” in the definition of food security, a “halal” label must be affixed to certain products. However, the Food law does not provide any details or guidance on these products.

 

Establishment of a Non-Ministerial Food Agency

To implement Food Sovereignty, Food Sufficiency and Food Security under the Food Law, the Government will form an agency responsible for handling the food sector. The agency can propose to the President special assignments which involve state-owned enterprises in the food business sector for the production, procurement, storage and/or distribution of Staple Food and other Foods, as determined by the Government and  the establishment of the agency will replace the Food Security Agency (BKP) at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Security Council (DKP) and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

In addition to the above, the Food Law also governs the following:

 

Food Sovereignty and Security

Under the Food Law, Food Sovereignty is defined as the State and Nation’s right to independently determine its food policies. This is to ensure that the public have access to food and can choose their own food systems and products.

Food Security is defined as the fulfillment of the Food needs of the state and each and every individual which is to be reflected in the availability of food which is sufficient, both in quantity and quality, safety, diversity, nutritious, widely available and affordable, and must not conflict with religious or cultural beliefs, and will support a healthy, active, productive and sustainable life.

 

Genetically Modified Food

Under the Food Law, genetically modified food is defined as food which is produced or uses raw materials, additives and/or other materials that result in a genetically engineered process. No one may produce food using a genetically engineered process without obtaining Food Safety approval prior to distribution.

Under this provision, genetically modified food may be distributed in Indonesia if it complies with certain requirements.^[2]

 

In order to achieve food security, the Government of Indonesia has issued several Laws and Regulations, among others are:

1. Law No. 12/1992 on Plant Cultivation System;

2. Law No. 16/2006 on Agricultural, Fishery and Forestry Extension System;

3. Law No. 18/2009 on Livestock and Animal Health;

4. Law No. 41/2009 on Sustainable Food Agricultural Land Protection;

5. Law No. 13/2010 on Horticulture;

6. Law No. 18/2012 on Food;

7. Government Regulation No. 68/2002 on Food Security;

8. Government Regulation No. 28/2004 on Food Safety, Quality and Nutrition;

9. Government Regulation No. 69/1999 on Food Labelling and Advertisement;

10. Presidential Decree No. 83/2006 on the Food Security Council;

11. Presidential Decree No. 22/2009 on Acceleration of Food Consumption Diversification Based on Local Resource;

12. Presidential Instruction No. 3/2012 on Government Procurement and Distribution on Paddy/Rice ;

13. Presidential Decree No. 32/2013 on the Assignment of BULOG to Secure Soybean Price and Distribution.^[3]