Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Chief of Staff to the President, General TNI (ret.) Dr. Moeldoko invited FAO member countries in Asia Pacific to initiate the development of research and development centers for “tropical farming” as an effort to diversify food in the region. This was conveyed by Moeldoko, during the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday (22/2).
Moeldoko said Indonesia could become a laboratory for finding appropriate solutions for the development of “tropical farming” for the common good.
“Indonesia is willing to initiate the development of a research center with the support from FAO and related institutions. This will be a place to exchange experiences and knowledge which can then be replicated and applied by member countries in the Asia Pacific region,” Moeldoko conveyed.
Indonesia, as the biggest tropical country in the world, added Moeldoko, has a great potential to develop tropical agriculture, such as rice, sweet potatoes, cassava and currently developing products are sago and sorghum.
In food development, continued Moeldoko, there is a main obstacle, namely the lack of research and development (R&D). Therefore, research is needed regarding superior seeds, appropriate fertilizer, as well as pest and disease management to support the continued application of appropriate technology. “With rapid climate change, we need solutions, this can be done by massive research,” he added.
Indonesia has started a project to build an Agricultural Training and Demonstration Center in Fiji, which is supported by the Government of Indonesia through the International Development Cooperation Fund (LDKPI). Apart from that, Indonesia has also collaborated with several countries in Africa and Asia Pacific. Through this experience, Moeldoko believes that strengthening research and development of “tropical farming” will be beneficial for Asia Pacific countries in building food security and farmer welfare.
“Indonesia is ready to support partnership in implementing Hand in Hand Initiatives programs, as an effort to achieve the SDGs goal of no one left behind,” he concluded.
