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Poverty and the price of rice

Down to Earth No. 76-77 May 2008

Concerns about food security worldwide are growing as rice prices have more than doubled in many countries over the last year and global rice stocks are the lowest for decades. Meanwhile the Indonesian government needs to consider how to increase rice production and to protect the food supplies of the poor.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization voiced concern when international rice prices rocketed to a 20-year high in late March with the global benchmark price at over US$500 per tonne.

Indonesia's agrofuels programme hit by high oil palm prices

Down to Earth No.76-77, May 2008


Indonesian agrofuel,1 producers are putting operations on hold as high demand drives up prices.

Since the Indonesian government issued its agrofuels policy in 2006, 22 companies have been set up to produce these alternative fuels.

Suharto's Legacy

Down to Earth No.76-77, May 2008


This May marks the tenth anniversary of Suharto's fall from power. The former president, who headed a military regime which ruled Indonesia for 32 years, died in January this year aged 86.

Indonesia and biofuel fever

Down to Earth No. 74, August 2007


The Jambi-based NGO, SETARA, which focuses on issues related to livelihoods, energy, natural resources and foreign investment, distributed a position paper on Indonesia's palm oil supplies in May. It was headed with a quote from Cuba's former leader, Fidel Castro, that the use of food crops to produce fuels would cause rising prices and hunger for millions of people in developing countries.

Government, business and communities

Down to Earth No. 74, August 2007


DTE interviewed Dr Afrizal, a sociology lecturer at Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra. His thesis, entitled 'The Nagari Community, Business and the State', is a detailed examination of the relationship between these three elements through the example of oil palm plantations.

WALHI calls for logging moratorium

Down to Earth No. 74, August 2007


Indonesia's most prominent environment group, WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) has repeated its call for a logging moratorium across the country.

CSR à la Jakarta

Down to Earth No. 74, August 2007

 

The final draft of a revised 'corporates' bill was given the nod by Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) on 20 July, 2007. This marked the passing of the bill, which replaces the old Limited Liability Company Law, (No.1,1995). The new Limited Liability Company Law, alongside the revised Investment Law (see DTE 73), is designed to update company legislation and is part of a bundle of regulations and statutes being enacted to make the country more attractive to new investment.