Jakarta. Vice presidential candidates are expected to present their solutions to rising food prices in the fourth presidential debate scheduled to take place at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Sunday.  

This time, the candidates --Muhaimin Iskandar, Gibran Rakabuming, Mahfud MD-- will face off in a debate focusing on environmental issues, agriculture, energy, and food security.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), over 333 million people in 78 countries face acute food insecurity this year. WFP states that 70 percent of those experiencing hunger worldwide reside in conflict or violence-affected regions.

The conflict in Ukraine has disturbed the global production and export of fertilizers, resulting in decreased supplies, increased prices, and a potential threat to harvests. As a consequence, global fertilizer prices have significantly risen, causing a reduction in the production of rice, soybeans, corn, and wheat in 2022.

In Indonesia, most of the population has been impacted by rising food prices, resulting in reduced nutritional intake, diminished public spending capability, and weakened purchasing power. Rising food prices can also affect the well-being of the community, especially for those working as laborers and farmers.

The increase in food prices is one of the primary concerns in the 2024 presidential election. The candidates have outlined their strategies related to the issue of food security.

Anies Baswedan - Muhaimin Iskandar
Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar propose the "8 Paths of Change" to ensure the availability of basic needs and low living costs through food self-sufficiency, energy resilience, and water sovereignty.

Prabowo Subianto - Gibran Rakabuming Raka
In Prabowo's eight missions known as "Asta Cita," he aims to enhance the country's defense and security and promote national self-sufficiency through creative economy, food self-sufficiency, energy, and water resilience, as well as green and blue economy.

Vice Chairman of the National Campaign Team's Council of Experts (TKN), Budiman Sudjatmiko, said that Prabowo is committed to transforming the agricultural pattern in rural communities.

"If rural communities transition into managers of industry-based agriculture, I believe the existing agricultural lands can produce an abundant food supply. With the assistance of agricultural industry technology, including digital technology, farming intensification can increase, and Indonesia could even become a food exporter," Budiman said.

Ganjar Pranowo - Mahfud MD
Ganjar Pranowo and Mohammad Mahfud MD, in their "Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD 8 Quick Steps," focus on efforts to accelerate independent economic development based on knowledge and added value.

They aim to achieve food sovereignty through affordable and diversified food supply. Ganjar-Mahfud will prioritize local food sources to realize a sustainable and competitive food industry. They will transform agricultural products into value-added products through environmentally friendly food research and technology.