By: Ali Imron Rosadi *
The Indonesian government in the leadership of President Joko Widodo has ministers who are reliable in their fields. Just mention Susi Pudjiastuti, Sri Mulyani, Retno Marsudi, and others. They work together to bring Indonesia to a better direction. Every policy taken by the President will certainly involve ministers to discuss. So that the policies taken will be consistent in all fields and not contradictory.
The policies issued during the administration of President Jokowi were often cornered by the opposition. But in fact, the policy finally went on and reaped the results that can be felt by the Indonesian people today. One of the new policies criticized by the opposition was the corn import policy. Understandably, the opposition will always try to portray a bad image to bring down the government. They deliberately look at it from one point of view on a policy so that it can reverse the ultimate goal of the policy.
Basically, Indonesia has abundant natural resources, including corn. Then why do you import corn if there is a lot of stock? The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution, explained the reason for the government to import corn, namely to meet the demand for animal feed which reached 130 thousand tons. At present, Indonesia is actively advancing the livestock sector, so that feed needs continue to increase. If imports are not carried out, the price of corn for animal feed can reach Rp 8,000 / kg. While the current price is around Rp.5,500 per kg.
The high price of corn will hit chicken farmers in micro, small and medium scale businesses (MSMEs) that do not have warehouses to store stock. For this reason, the corn import policy is vital for the stability of market prices. Furthermore, Indonesia has a community with protein sources that rely on eggs and chicken meat. This means that the import of corn and the availability of animal feed will have a large influence on the market, including the nutritional needs of the community.
Corn imports will only be carried out for two months. In March-April 2019 Indonesia will enter the harvest season of corn. The plan, according to what was discussed by Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and a working meeting with the House of Representatives Commission IV, corn from the Sulawesi production center will be exported to the Philippines. Including harvests in other regions will also target foreign markets as a step to increase exports. But more important is the stability of domestic corn prices.
The seriousness of the government in advancing Indonesia continues with very good policies that have an impact on both the short, medium and long term for the Indonesian economy. The community does not need to worry and be affected by news that corners government policies and makes us worry. We have made an achievement that Indonesia is one of eight countries that are considered the safest in facing the economic crisis. Indonesia is also a country with a high level of stability, even stability is recognized in the eyes of the world.
* The author is a student at Faculty of Agriculture UGM