Food Crisis in Indonesia Expected to Hit West Java in 2021

BANDUNG, KOMPAS.com – A food crisis is predicted to hit Indonesia's West Java next year as food-exporting countries cut off supplies to Indonesia.

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil is on alert with the looming food shortage expected to occur.

During an event on December 3, Ridwan said that rice is the staple commodity that is most at threat as rice exporting countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are looking to cut off export supplies to meet their respective domestic demand.

Read also: Achieving Food Security in Indonesia Integral as Global Food Crisis Looms

To counter one of the first signs of an impending food crisis in Indonesia, Ridwan Kamil will host a virtual expo on the agricultural sector and commodities.

Around 20 companies that buy agricultural products will attend the expo, where each company will get the chance to buy directly from farmers while serving as mentors.

Farmers also have the chance to learn directly from the companies what goods should be cultivated to fulfill market demand.

Meanwhile, Herawanto, Head of the Bank Indonesia West Java Representative Office, said that the institution is still calculating the region’s inflation rate.

The country’s Central Statistics Agency’s inflation rate for the region for November 2020 stood at 1.99 percent year on year.

Read also: Indonesia’s West Java Remains Foreign Investors Choice Location despite High Minimum Wage

Nevertheless, the signs point to the region’s stable inflation rate this year which has been targeted to remain under 2 percent.

With national economic recovery efforts laid out for next year, West Java’s inflation rate will likely increase.

In the second quarter of 2021, there are several aspects that the regional government is anticipating such as a rise in demand, higher prices on global commodities, and the risk of a La Nina weather pattern.

“We are predicting that the inflation rate will be under control and in line with our strategy of 3+1 percent,” said Herawanto.

Read also: Indonesia’s Central Bank Estimates 0.01 Inflation Rate in September

Herawanto added that the feasibility of the goal requires innovative and anticipatory strategies to counter rising inflation, in addition to adequate response in facing the food crisis in Indonesia.

“It has become increasingly important to assess the consumer side and that of the producers to prevent instability in food prices and avoid a situation where one party is at a disadvantage.”

(Writer: Reni Susanti, Bandung Contributor | Editor: Abba Gabrillin)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/03/14532171/ridwan-kamil-sebut-jabar-diprediksi-mengalami-krisis-pangan-pada-2021?page=all#page2