The Jakarta administration intends to establish a food estate on the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) by 2025, as announced by the current acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono, on 28th March 2024. This initiative aims to harness the natural resources of the Thousand Islands to their maximum potential in the years ahead.
Collaborating with the National Development Planning Agency, the Jakarta government has initiated discussions on this food estate project to bolster future food security. Heru highlighted that a study conducted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) indicated that the land in the Thousand Islands is well-suited for establishing a food reserve for DKI Jakarta, commencing in 2025.
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On the flip side, Ismail, Chairman of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, emphasized the necessity for thorough scrutiny of the food estate proposal for the Thousand Islands by the Jakarta government. He underscored that developing a food estate entails financial resources sourced not only from investments but also from the DKI Jakarta Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).
Expressing some scepticism, Ismail raised concerns about the feasibility of realizing the food estate project due to various factors. These include the limited food requirements of the Thousand Islands and the anticipated higher costs compared to mainland prices.
According to Heru Budi, marine products like seaweed and various fish species from the Seribu Islands could serve as a foundation for food reserves. When questioned about potential budget sources for developing this food storage facility, Heru Budi suggested the possibility of partnering with the private sector.
However, considering the track record of food estate projects as large-scale endeavours, this initiative could heighten the vulnerability of the small islands in the Seribu Islands Regency.
“The exploitation in the Seribu Islands will exacerbate the existing damage,” stated Difa Shafira, Head of ICEL’s Forestry and Land Division, in an interview with Kompas on Wednesday (20/3/2024). Difa emphasized that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government should prioritize environmental restoration efforts.
