We all agree that we have to own early warning systems for food and nutritional insecurityBogor, West Java (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is pursuing collaboration with 514 districts and cities to establish early warning systems for food and nutritional insecurity and conduct anticipatory efforts, such as securing food stocks.
To face El Nino, which could trigger a prolonged drought in food production areas, there needs to be strong collaboration between the central and regional governments as well as stakeholders, Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi said in Bogor on Thursday.
"We all agree that we have to own early warning systems for food and nutritional insecurity. This is important, particularly because we are facing the threat of El Nino. Hence, all regions must be cautious and pursue (anticipatory measures) for food and nutritional insecurity issues in respective areas," he added.
He delivered the statement during a meeting on Improving the Analysis of Food and Nutritional Insecurity Early Warning Systems.
He said that the system established with the help of provincial and municipal governments serves as a reminder to mitigate factors linked to El Nino occurrence.
In Indonesia, 74 areas, including the eastern parts like Maluku and Papua, are listed as having food insecurity issues, he noted.
"I want ladies and gentlemen who have technical (positions) in provincial, district, and municipal (governments) to truly understand this early warning system for food and nutritional insecurity. So, the data that will be produced are (valid) and can be used to anticipate food and nutritional insecurity," he added.
The initiative is in line with a directive given by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during a meeting with some Onward Indonesia Cabinet ministers on Tuesday (July 18), which also discussed maintaining food resilience to tackle El Nino's effects, he pointed out.
"This mitigation pattern begins by establishing a digital-based system, so all regions know the situation and condition of food and nutritional insecurity in their respective area. This is important because the system is built based on some food resilience aspects, like food supply, food affordability, and food use," he said.
Adi informed that there are many indicators of food availability, such as the expanse of agricultural soil for growing crops, food commodities, and food affordability, which includes prices within a certain period. Meanwhile, food use refers to toddlers' nutritional status, he added.
The agency is including climate data in the preparation for El Nino by involving relevant ministries and agencies to obtain accurate results, he said.
He explained that each region must be aware of the threat that looms over their respective areas.
Related news: BULOG has 750 thousand tons of rice to handle El Niño's impacts
Related news: Rice stock secure in facing El Niño peak: Agriculture Minister
Related news: Government discusses preparations for handling impact of El Nino
Translator: Linna Susanti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
