BENGKULU – Vice chairman of The House of Regional Representatives of Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) Sultan B Najamudin encouraged the Regional Government to increase productivity and added value of regional potential in the midst of the global warming crisis which has a direct impact on food availability.
It was conveyed by this former Vice Governor of Bengkulu while attending the 73rd anniversary of South Bengkulu Regency in its capital, city of Manna–around 141 km from the Bengkulu City, on Tuesday (8/3).
“First of all, we wish you a happy 73rd anniversary of South Bengkulu Regency. We hope that South Bengkulu will continue to rise and grow in accordance with the regional development plan set by the regional government,” said Sultan to the media crew.
According to him, the pandemic phenomenon and the current food supply crisis must be interpreted as a test and challenge for the independence and innovation of autonomous regions which must be taken seriously by local governments.
We believe that all regions have potential with economic value that is possible to be developed.
“Development of regional potential in the agricultural, marine and tourism sectors must be directed at an industrial scale and a digitalization approach that is able to increase the value of products and services in the region. At this point we need innovation and regional economic development strategies based on digitalized and sustainable local wisdom,” said Sultan.
Sultan further explained that it is time for the regions to prioritize all their resources on the provision of basic needs that are still causing social discomfort.
The issue is about self-reliance and food security as well as mitigation efforts against the increasing threat of climate change.
“Everything can be started with mapping regional potentials and planning for integrated economic development in the future. What is happening now implies that the dependence of regions on the central government must be reduced. Regions must be innovative and independent in managing available resources,” he concluded.
