The important factors in food fulfillment are availability and affordability, Bappenas' Public Health and Nutrition Director Pungkas Bahjuri Ali said during an online discussion themed "Toward Freedom from Malnutrition and Starvation" on Thursday.
The aspect of food availability is not limited to basic foods, but also a variety of agricultural products, he noted.
This aspect is affected by a number of factors, such as the impact of disasters and climate change, conversion of agricultural land due to urbanization, as well as the declining number of farmers, and young farmers’ regeneration, he informed.
Meanwhile, affordability is considered to be important as a factor that determines whether food can be accessed by the broader public.
In addition, the problem of poverty, people's low purchasing power, as well as rising food prices are also factors that determine food fulfillment, he highlighted.
The food utilization aspect should also be encouraged so that people obtain the required nutrition, he opined.
Bappenas is encouraging coordination and synergy between the central government, regional governments, and all stakeholders to bolster nutrition and food security regulations.
"The food may be there, but it is not affordable, or the food may be there but the eating pattern is not balanced. This is a food development challenge that should be worked on from upstream to downstream," Ali said.
Moreover, strategies to meet the food requirement and bolster food security must be undertaken sustainably, he noted.
He urged all parties to bolster food production, distribution, manage food consumption patterns in a sustainable manner, and prevent food waste.
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Translator: Adimas R F P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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