Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is strengthening food logistics distribution throughout Indonesia through cold chain technology that regulates and maintains food quality.

"The aspect of extending shelf life is an important factor in supporting the distribution of food logistics that reaches all regions. Related to that, we pay attention to the development of cold chain infrastructure," said Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi in his statement on Friday.

He said that Bapanas' efforts in strengthening food logistics distribution to all regions were conveyed at a seminar on "The Role of Technology and Start-up Companies on Food Logistics Reliability," which was held by the Indonesian Logistics Actors Association (PPLI) in Jakarta on May 9.

Adi said that he had always conveyed the importance of cold chain storage to President Joko Widodo on several occasions.

"(Cold chain storage) has started overseas for a long time. We are just starting," Adi remarked.

He explained that one of the reasons why food prices in Indonesia always fluctuate is that it does not have sufficient tools to extend the shelf life of food.

"There are Fuji apples from northern China that can continue to be shipped. It is because they can regulate not only the temperature but also the atmosphere in the storage," he explained.

He highlighted that since 2022, Bapanas has supported the strengthening of food storage by distributing a total of 30 cold chain storage facilities to strategic food producer centers in 12 provinces.

"This year, I want to achieve the target of providing 40 cold chain devices. I will make sure they are there at the production centers in several districts and cities," Adi stated.

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Translator: M Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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