Letters: Farmers need certainty

This is a comment on “Race for food will get tougher, officials say” (the Post, Feb. 5). Indonesia is one of the lucky countries to have vast land and many islands to grow enough food for its growing population.
Indonesia can also become the feeder of the world.

The questions: Where are the farmers who are going to utilize this land to grow food? What can encourage people to become farmers? What benefits can farmers get from growing food for the population? How to motivate young people to become farmers? Can farmers get a better income than those working in the cities?

We need a good buyer, like Bulog (the National Logistics Agency) which is required to be the buyer.

Bulog must pay the same prices as the international market. Bulog must open the price before the planting season, so farmers know if they can grow more, they can get a good income. There must be commitment from the buyer. This is already in practice and only needs to be improved to entice more people to become farmers.

The government should introduce incentives for farm machinery. Farm machinery should get at least a 70 percent subsidy from the government and be distributed through recognized agencies. No free money should be given to farmers as subsidies, as this would only make them unproductive. Distribute seeds at affordable prices. Create awareness of the latest developments in agriculture and machinery nearer to farmlands, in towns where farmers can come on their motorcycles and visit the exhibition.


Suppa
Surabaya