Anticipated to unfold at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) this Sunday, the fourth presidential debate will witness vice presidential candidates proffering their solutions to the mounting predicament of rising food prices.
Set against the backdrop of escalating concerns over environmental issues, agriculture, energy, and food security, this debate will feature the perspectives of prominent candidates, namely Muhaimin Iskandar, Gibran Rakabuming, and Mahfud MD.
The World Food Programme (WFP) underscores the urgency of the matter by revealing that more than 333 million individuals across 78 countries are grappling with acute food insecurity in the current year. Of this staggering figure, WFP notes that 70 percent of those affected by hunger are concentrated in regions marred by conflict or violence.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the global production and export of fertilizers, resulting in diminished supplies, elevated prices, and an impending threat to harvests. Consequently, the surge in global fertilizer prices has led to a discernible reduction in the production of key staples such as rice, soybeans, corn, and wheat in the year 2022.
Closer to home, the repercussions of escalating food prices are keenly felt in Indonesia, where a significant portion of the populace grapples with the impact. The ramifications include compromised nutritional intake, a decline in public spending capacity, and a notable erosion of purchasing power. These challenges are particularly pronounced for laborers and farmers, underscoring the far-reaching consequences on community well-being.
The escalating cost of food has emerged as a central issue in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, prompting candidates to articulate their strategies for addressing the pressing matter of food security. As the candidates prepare to take the stage, the electorate eagerly awaits their proposed solutions to alleviate the impact of rising food prices on the nation.
