The dream of achieving food independence and sovereignty as mandated by Law 18/2012 has become increasingly hazy. Its implementation has become unclear with the establishment of National Food Agency (Bapanas) as a food regulator which reports directly to the President based on Presidential Decree 66/2021 and the role of Bulog as the operator. Amid the rice import controversy and despite the 1.7 million tons of rice surplus based on the Agriculture Ministry’s data, there has been an increase in the price of rice and other essential commodities since January. And the role of Bapanas and Bulog is even more daunting, with the existence of a powerful “food mafia” as alleged by Bulog chairman Budi Waseso.
Workable solutions
First, theoretically, we already have Law 18/2012 on food independence and sovereignty. This law actually provides a very strong footing. It stipulates the separate role of Bapanas and Bulog. Bapanas is tasked with formulating a grand design and road map for how to achieve food independence and sovereignty. Meanwhile, Bulog should be revitalized, so that its budget and functions can be restored to the way they used to be, in the New Order era. Its infrastructure and financing should also be strengthened, including through digitization and algorithm-based Big Data, so it can identify rice production trends, global food prices, rice prices in the regions as well as fingering food oligopolization and cartelization activities. Third, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) should be upgraded to become an independent state agency similar to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), including the authority to conduct wiretapping so it can collaborate with Bulog in preventing and enforcing law against food cartels.
With these three steps, it is hoped that Indonesia can achieve food self-sufficiency and sovereignty so it can end the persistent challenges inherent in the Indonesian rice supply chain. These problems are often compounded near major political agenda such as the elections. Also, it will help wean Indonesia off food imports. If fundamental reforms are not yet feasible, at least these three steps can start the ball rolling. (Didin S Damanhuri)