Indigenous Peoples Play An Important Role In Local Food Security

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, emphasized that the role of indigenous peoples is very vital in maintaining the sustainability of the local food ecosystem which is an important part in supporting national priority programs towards food self-sufficiency.

"We take part in supporting the government's efforts to achieve food independence. Local food is important because it has long been part of the culture and habits of our society," said Fadli in commemoration of World Indigenous Peoples International Day in Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

According to him, Indonesia as a tropical country is rich in local food resources such as corn, sorghum, sago, and rice. Through the Local Food Movement of the Archipelago, these various potentials can be thoroughly processed from upstream to downstream, including in the culinary sector, which can even be developed into an attraction based on intangible cultural heritage.

Fadli added that the local food wealth that we now enjoy cannot be separated from the role of indigenous peoples who have been caring for, preserving, and developing these food sources for generations.

Furthermore, he explained that local food plays a strategic role in supporting national food sovereignty. Sources of carbohydrates such as corn and sorghum, as well as protein from local livestock, are available in various regions and have great potential for further development.

In addition, Fadli highlighted the importance of local food consumption to support the health of future generations, especially for pregnant women. Nutritionary food from the archipelago is expected to contribute to creating a superior generation and free from stunting.

He also hopes that in the future, local foods will be increasingly accepted by the community and consumed regularly as part of their daily diet, especially by children during their growth period.

The introduction of local food, according to him, is also a concrete step in food diversification, in order to reduce dependence on one type of carbohydrate source such as rice.

Closing his remarks, Minister Fadli invited all parties to make the momentum of World Indigenous Peoples International Day an impetus to strengthen local food movements through a comprehensive strategy from upstream to downstream. He emphasized the importance of not only stopping on production, but also creating added value through food processing into products with high economic value.

The Ministry of Culture has also opened up to collaborate with various elements of society, including traditional leaders, artists, culturalists, and the general public, in an effort to strengthen the sustainability and preservation of local food throughout the archipelago.