First upload : 28 September 2017

Solopos.com, SEMARANG – The Central Java Provincial Government has established a cooperation with a non-government organisation, the Business Watch Indonesia (BWI), to establish a Central Java Secretariat for Sustainable Food Landscape. The Secretariat that was formally inaugurated by the Deputy Governor of Central Java Province, Heru Sudjatmoko, at the Gradhika Bhakt Praja Building in Semarang, on Wednesday (7/6/2017) was established in response to food security issues as well as to improve food productivity in the agricultural sector.

“Today we all agreed to declare the Secretariat for Sustainable Food Landscape (Sekretariat Kawasan Pangan Berkelanjutan/SKPB) of Central Java. The Secretariat is aimed to synergize programs and policies as well as to address the increasing number of population and the decreasing sizes of agriculture land,” said Heru in his inauguration speech.

Heru said further that the secretariat was formed as part of the ongoing sustainable food landscape management program in Central Java until 2020. The implementation of the program has been facilitated by BWI, a non-government organisation that works on issues concerning the sustainability of agricultural commodities with the support of Solidaridad South and Southeast Asia that is based in India and Jateng Berdikari Foundation.

According to the Deputy Governor, increased changes in agricultural land use have led to a decline in food production. Many agricultural land areas that have in the past produced agricultural products have been converted into factories and residential areas. To address this, new regional regulations need to be issued for the protection of food crop agricultural lands.

“The Central Java population is now 36 million people, which increase the demands for food. However, there has been an increasing decline in agricultural land areas that the Central Java Secretariat for Sustainable Food Landscape plays a very significant role,” said Heru.

In his written remarks, the Managing Director of Solidaridad South and Southeast Asia, Shatadru Chattopadhayay, indicated that the Secretariat for Sustainable Food Landscape has been established as a result of the awareness of the diminishing boundaries between sectors and the interrelatedness of food security, population growth and availability of food.

“One of the Central Java government’s agendas is realising food security in Central Java, responsible and environmental-friendly landscape management. To achieve this, sustainable food landscape management must be ensured,” said Shatadru.

The pilot areas for the sustainable landscape management in Central Java coversix districts, namely Sukoharjo, Klaten, Purworejo, Sragen, Wonogiri, and Boyolali. Program implementation includes introduction of climate responsive agricultural practices to soybean farmers, coffee agroforestry, conservation of forest in the slopes of Merapi, strengthening women farmers’ capacity, and  strengthening the capacity of village facilitators.

Source:

http://www.solopos.com/2017/06/08/ketahanan-pangan-jateng-bentuk-sekretariat-kawasan-pangan-berkelanjutan-823406

Issued on Thursday, 8 June 2017

Photo Credit: Business Watch Indonesia