National Food Agency Head Arief Prasetyo Adi, inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Monday, urged stakeholders in the national food sector to prioritize and enhance collaboration and synergy.
“To enhance activities of the National Food Agency, we need to synergize and collaborate with ministries and stakeholders relevant to the national food sector,” Adi stated after his inauguration, as observed by virtual means, in Jakarta.
The National Food Agency will involve ministries relevant to the food sector, including the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of State-owned Enterprises, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of Industry in the agency programs, he remarked.
The agency head also urged other stakeholders, such as food producer associations, farmers, and fishermen, to collaborate with his agency.
“Our duty would not be successful if only the National Food Agency works for it,” Adi remarked.
Last year, President Jokowi enacted Presidential Regulation No. 66 of 2021 that established the National Food Agency to increase the government’s obligation in the national food sector.
The regulation dictates that the new agency has 11 functions comprising coordinating, conceiving, and designating food stock policies; ensuring food price and stock stability and security; addressing food and nutrient vulnerabilities, as well as handling diversification of consumption food.
The regulation also designates nine food commodities — rice, corn, soybean, sugar, garlic, eggs, beef, poultry, and chili — under the responsibility of the National Food Agency.
In performing his task, Adi will be assisted by the general secretariat and three deputies on the food stability and availability department, food and nutrient vulnerability department, and food diversification and security department.
Source: Antara News