Jakarta, 5 December 2024 - Amid growing global pressures on food security, driven by population growth, climate change, and geo-political uncertainties, strengthening the food ecosystem is crucial to achieving Indonesia's long-term food security goals. In this context, Japfa, a key player in Asia's animal protein industry, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food system.

These themes were central to the discussions at JAPFA for Indonesia Emas 2045: Nurturing Collaboration in Food Security, an event organised by Japfa which attracted prominent representatives from Indonesian Government, international organisation, academia and business to address the most pressing challenges of Indonesia's food ecosystem.

Minister for National Development Planning, Republic of Indonesia, Rachmad Pambudy highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration to build a strong food system. "Food system transformation is not solely the government's responsibility; it requires active participation from all stakeholders, from the private sector to the wider community" said Rachmat.

He emphasized that food system transformation is essential for achieving self-sufficiency, ecological sustainability, and improving public nutrition and health. "I urge everyone to actively participate and collaborate in strengthening and developing a resilient, sovereign, and sustainable food system for current and future generations," he added.

In his opening remarks, Renaldo Santosa, President Director of PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk, underscored the company's significant role in meeting Indonesia's animal protein needs. "We believe food security requires a resilient national ecosystem that ensures safe, affordable, and nutritious food for every Indonesian. This moment calls for collaboration. By setting clear policies, enhancing food quality and safety, unlocking the potential of the Blue Economy, and prioritising the health and nutrition of younger generations, we can help advance Indonesia's vision of food security, self-sufficiency and economic growth".

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, stressed the need for government intervention to maximize the growth and development potential of children. "Our agency, supported by other national institutions, is building a digital architecture to control budget use effectively and ensure all efforts contribute to Indonesia Emas 2045. The nutritious meal programme is an investment in Indonesia's future," said Dadan.

Japfa's Head of Business Development, Gabriella Santosa, emphasized the importance of collaboration to combat malnutrition: "Prioritizing children's nutrition is both a fundamental responsibility and a strategic economic investment. Every rupiah invested on nutrition yields significant benefits, making nutrition a top priority for the public and private sectors. We deeply appreciate the government's commitment to addressing the complexities of this programme."

She added, "Japfa recently partnered with the Center for Nutrition and Health Studies at Universitas Indonesia to evaluate children's nutritional adequacy across Indonesia. More than 1,000 children received nutritious meals through three models: Ready-to-Cook, Ready-to-Eat, and Self-Managed. Our study analyzed production processes, nutritional fulfillment, distribution effectiveness, and costs. We hope this initiative provides valuable insights for future stunting reduction efforts, and Japfa remains committed to supporting such programmes and fostering further collaboration."

Participants engaged in discussions on critical themes ranging from the effective policy implementation strengthening local production systems, and ensuring food quality through rigorous standards and traceability. They also explored the untapped potential of the Blue Economy and emphasized balanced nutrition and public-private collaboration to empower Indonesia's youth to reach their full potential and contribute to national prosperity.

Another vital element of a resilient food ecosystem is maintaining high safety and quality standards. By producing food locally and adhering to strict certifications like NKV, ISO 22000, and HACCP, Indonesia can enhance food security while boosting export potential and gaining a competitive edge. Japfa exemplifies this approach with its commitment to safety and quality across its integrated production chain. From feed and breeding to farming and processing, Japfa ensures full traceability and control at every stage, delivering nutritious and safe animal protein to consumers.