The Role of Volcanic Soils in Supporting Children's Food and Nutritional Security

The research focus conducted by Jadrianna Sutrisno, a student of grade 11 at Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) (Photo: Dok. JIS)

JAKARTA - The condition of the natural environment has an important role in supporting food security and the nutritional quality of the community. One factor that is often discussed in agricultural studies is the fertility of volcanic soils, which are formed from volcanic activity and are known to be rich in nutrients needed by plants.

In the context of Indonesia which has many active volcanoes, this condition is interesting to be studied further, especially related to its impact on children's health and nutrition.

The topic is the focus of a research conducted by Jadrianna Sutrisno, a student of grade 11 at Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), which was presented at the Jakarta Scholars Symposium (JSS) on May 27. The research explores the relationship between volcanic soil fertility, agricultural productivity, and stunting rates in various regions of Indonesia.

Indonesia is a country that is on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 130 active volcanoes. Behind the risk of eruptions that can cause damage, volcanic activity also produces ash that can enrich the soil with various important minerals. This condition contributes to increased agricultural productivity and food availability in a number of regions.

Through the research entitled "From Soil to Supper: Agriculture and Child Health in Indonesia", Jadrianna combines environmental science, agriculture, and public health approaches to understand whether areas with fertile volcanic soils have better child nutrition conditions than areas with lower land fertility levels.

"Volcanoes are often only seen as something dangerous or destructive," Jadrianna said.

"I want to explore different perspectives and understand whether something that seems destructive can also provide important benefits, especially in supporting agriculture and food security," he continued.

The research utilizes various data sources, including scientific literature, agricultural statistics, and national stunting data. The results of the analysis show a relationship between the region with high soil fertility and relatively lower stunting rates.

Based on the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) 2024, the national prevalence of stunting was recorded at 19.8 percent, down from 27.7 percent in 2019. Despite a significant decline, stunting is still a public health challenge that affects almost one in five toddlers in Indonesia.

The findings of the study show that a number of provinces with extensive volcanic landscapes and high agricultural productivity tend to have lower stunting rates. West Java, for example, recorded a stunting prevalence of 15.9 percent and is known to have agricultural areas supported by fertile volcanic soils.

Conversely, several areas in Papua still face greater challenges in food production due to limited fertile land and less supportive environmental conditions for intensive agriculture.

"I did in-depth research on the condition of the land and the agricultural system throughout Indonesia," he explained.

"These findings show that soil fertility affects food production, which ultimately impacts children's nutrition and health," he continued.

In addition to soil fertility factors, this study also highlights different environmental challenges in each region. For example, Papua has a lot of peat land with high acidity levels that can hinder agricultural productivity if not managed properly. Meanwhile, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) faces water resource constraints and relatively low rainfall, which impacts the production of food crops.

However, this study confirms that stunting is a multidimensional problem that is influenced by various factors, including the level of family welfare, access to health services, sanitation, education, and the nutritional status of mothers.

Therefore, agricultural productivity is seen as one part of a broader solution in efforts to improve children's nutritional quality.

To help reduce the gap between regions, this study proposes several recommendations, including the restoration of peatlands that have been degraded, strengthening irrigation systems and water resources management, and improving infrastructure that supports food distribution and access to health services.

Restoration of peatland is considered to improve soil quality and support agricultural activities, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the development of more effective irrigation systems and the use of rainwater harvesting technology can help farmers deal with climate uncertainty and drought. Improving transportation infrastructure is also considered important to facilitate the distribution of food and expand the reach of health services.

"Volcanic ash enriches the soil, supports plant growth, and ultimately contributes to a food system that nourishes people," said Jadrianna.

"Understanding this connection can help us see the relationship between the environment, agriculture, and child health more broadly," he continued.

This research shows how a research-based learning approach can help students understand and provide new perspectives on development issues that are relevant to the community.

By linking environmental, agricultural, and health aspects, the research presents a more comprehensive picture of the factors that affect the quality of life of children in Indonesia.