Bishops of Indonesia’s Nusa Tenggara province, a region of poor crop harvests and poverty, say that they will work to promote “food sovereignty” to break the devastating cycle of hunger and malnutrition among farmers. The bishops and one administrator from eight dioceses in this region agreed on the urgency of “responding to the reality of poverty and hunger” at the end of their July 20-24 pastoral meeting in Maumere on Flores Island, UCA News reports.
About 87 Religious men and women, farmers, fishermen and governmental officials also attended the meeting that is held every three years.
Bishop Frans Kopong Kung of Larantuka told UCA News that he and other diocesan leaders agreed previously to research the plight of local farmers.
As a result, Church leaders have asked their parishes to collect rice from parishioners and distribute it to poor farmers. Diocesan commissions for socio-economic development, in cooperation with local governments, have also offered counseling programs on how to deal with food shortages.
Bishop Kopong Kung says that since 2008 every parish in the region has initiated “a model garden” where corn, beans, tubers and other vegetables are planted and given to poor farmers at times when food is in short supply.
In their final statement issued at the end of the recent meeting, the diocesan leaders said many of the problems farmers face are due to “a weak management system of production, consumption, and distribution.” A lack of skills among farmers also reduced quality, quantity and continuity of their produce, which also caused prices to fluctuate.
“We are committed to motivate, animate and empower poor farmers and collaborate with various parties with good will to develop a joint movement called ‘Care for farmers, Develop food sovereignty,’” the final communique of the meeting said.
“This movement relies on collective and critical awareness, strong self-organization and political opportunity siding with the bonum commune (common good),” they said.
The leaders agreed to draft pastoral programs and implement them in their own dioceses. Each leader will issue a special pastoral note on food sovereignty, inviting people to learn about the issues involved.
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