"It is time to promote local food and make it an integral part of national food security," Bapanas' deputy for food consumption, diversification, and safety, Andriko Noto Susanto, said in a statement released by the agency here on Monday.
He added that to realize food independence based on local foods, Bapanas is continuing to encourage the food industry to utilize the potential of local foods, such as sago.
According to the Bapanas' statement, Susanto visited a sago processing factory in Tangerang, Banten.
The factory has been producing sago rice since 2018, he said. The small and medium business aims to use sago rice to support local food security for people across regions.
He noted that the factory produces various types of processed sago products such as snacks and noodles, as well as the flagship product, sago rice.
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According to him, Indonesia has not optimized the huge potential of local foods such as sago.
"In accordance with the Food Law, it is time for us to utilize this resource to support national food independence," he said.
Over the past decade, he highlighted, Indonesia has experienced a shift in the food consumption pattern, hence, food insecurity risks need to be anticipated.
"Food diversification is the key to realize food independence based on local food resources. It is time for us to elevate local foods such as sago, which has great potential," he said.
Meanwhile, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that national sago production in 2022 reached 367,132 tons, with Riau, the largest producing province, contributing 274,807 tons.
The high production reflects sago's significant potential as an alternative to rice. It can be tapped by reviving people's habit of consuming sago as a staple food, such as in Papua, Maluku, and other Indonesian eastern regions.
Related news: Ministry promoting sago development for food diversification
Translator: M Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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