Indonesia Explores Local Food Alternatives to Reduce Import Dependency

Potential of Local Crops as Import Substitutes

Indonesia is actively exploring various local food alternatives to reduce its dependency on imported goods, particularly wheat flour. Experts and recent research highlight the potential of several local crops as viable substitutes. The Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) has been at the forefront of mapping the diverse local food resources across different regions of Indonesia, from the western to the eastern parts of the archipelago ²

Sorghum and Sago as Wheat Flour Alternatives

According to Dr. Dra. Dwinita Wikan Utami, M.Si., Head of Horticulture and Plantation Research at BRIN, sorghum and sago are identified as potential alternatives to wheat flour due to their nutritional content and adaptability to Indonesian environments. These crops are part of a broader category of local carbohydrates that include sweet potatoes, local corn, pigmented rice, hanjeli, millet, and various tubers ²

Promoting Local Food through Government Initiatives

The Indonesian government is promoting the use of local food through various initiatives, including the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program. BRIN is developing high beta-carotene bananas to support this program, demonstrating the integration of nutritional science with local food promotion. The agency is also researching other local fruits like papaya, which is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene ²

Cultural and Historical Context of Local Food

Repa Kustipia, Research Director at CS-IFA, emphasized the historical significance of local food in Indonesia, tracing it back to the early phases of human history and cultural development. The journey of Nusantara's food is described through various phases, from the early hunter-gatherer stage to the current era of technofood and digital food economy. The colonial period significantly impacted local food systems, introducing new crops and changing consumption patterns ¹

Challenges and Future Directions

One of the challenges in promoting local food is making it appealing to the younger generation. Repa suggests linking local food to sustainability, circular economy, and future food trends to engage Gen Z. Examples include promoting jamu as a culinary medicine and pecel as Indonesia's farm-to-table concept. For regions like Eastern Indonesia, sago is highlighted as a potential future food source ¹

Collaboration for Local Food Development

BRIN is working to ensure that research outcomes are translated into practical innovations. The agency is fostering collaboration with local governments, universities, and industry partners to develop and promote local food resources. This includes ensuring the validity of research findings and their economic benefits for all stakeholders involved ²