INCREASING AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION IN MARGINAL LAND: CROP IMPROVEMENT APPROACH

Abstract

History has proved that agricultural sector plays important role in the Indonesian economy. In the 21st century, Indonesia is faced with the challenge of fulfilling the food and energy demand of its people. World population in 2025 is predicted to near 8.04 billion people requiring foods supply about 3046.5 million ton, where as a predicted world food production is only 2977.7 million ton (Miflin 2000). The world food balance, therefore, will be deficit 68.S million ton (Miflln 2000). At that time, Indonesian population will reach about 316-350 million people, thus increasing food demand equal to rice production 65.9 million ton (Research and Development Agency, Department of Agriculture 2005). Since the recent domestic production of rice is only S2.S million ton, therefore, there will be 13.1 million ton rice deficit, if no increase of production during the remaining period. This indicates that Indonesia is often threatened by food shortage, especially rice. Since the economic crisis until now, Indonesian ability to be self sufficient in food has constantly declining. Indonesia has to import food which has depleted its foreign exchange reserve (US $ 900 millions). With high dependency on import and the slow rate of productivity increase, Indonesia has to increase its national food production capacity in a sustainable way.