Indonesia addressing food security in Indo-Pacific
Gusty Da Costa
Collaboration and innovation are needed to ensure reliable access to food in the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said at the Atlantic Council Global Food Security Forum, held during the Group of 20 summit of the world’s leading industrial and developing nations in Bali in mid-November 2022. The forum brought together international and regional leaders, including government officials, business representatives, food security experts and advocates, to discuss the challenge of feeding the world.
“Food security is a critical issue for Indonesia and the wider Indo-Pacific region,” Prabowo told attendees. Indonesia’s population growth of 1.9% increases the nation of 276 million by about 5.8 million people each year, he said.. “We are committed to working with our partners to address this challenge and ensure that all people have access to the food they need to thrive.” (Pictured: An Indonesian farmer harvests rice in Medan province.)
Prabowo touted the potential of cassava, a starchy root native to South America, to bolster food security. “Cassava is a highly nutritious and drought-resistant crop that has the potential to provide a reliable source of food for millions of people in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. “We are working to increase cassava production and promote its use in our national food security strategy.”
Forum participants discussed issues such as the effect of rising sea levels, the need for sustainable and resilient food production and the role of technology in improving access to food. Panelists also discussed regional challenges, including how natural disasters affect food production and the private sector’s role in addressing food insecurity.
In a memorandum on the forum, Peter Engelke, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a United States-based nonpartisan think tank, highlighted policy recommendations that emerged from the discussions. These included the need for greater investment in agriculture, particularly on small farms and in rural communities; the importance of promoting sustainable and resilient food systems, including with technology; and the need for international cooperation and coordination.
Attendees also discussed how the war in Ukraine has disrupted food production and distribution in the Indo-Pacific, leading to food insecurity and rising prices. They emphasized the importance of providing humanitarian assistance, including food and other support.
“The war in Ukraine is just one example of the near-term shocks that can disrupt global food supply chains and undermine food security,” Engelke said. “We must work together to find solutions to conflicts like this and prevent them from further exacerbating global food insecurity.”
Gusty Da Costa is a FORUM contributor reporting from Indonesia.
IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS
