The National Food Agency (Badan Pangan Nasional or Bapanas) declares West Java Province as a food-safe region, ensuring the availability of 11 essential food commodities. These include rice, corn, soybeans, chicken, beef, buffalo meat, shallots, garlic, various chili peppers, consumer sugar, cooking oil, fish, and consumer salt, indicating a well-maintained supply chain. Despite challenges, particularly with rice, efforts have been made to stabilize the situation. Secretary General of Bapanas, Sarwo Edhy, acknowledged that while rice faced scarcity, measures were taken to stabilize prices. Rice availability has improved, and assistance has been provided to 22 million beneficiary families nationwide over the past six months.
Regarding food vulnerability at the city and district levels, Bapanas reports a positive trend in 2023, with a decrease from 74 to 68 areas facing food insecurity, as per data from the Central Statistics Agency. The reduction signifies progress in food resilience amid potential food crises. Sarwo emphasizes Bapanas' ongoing commitment to enhancing these areas, ensuring the supply and prices of food through affordable markets. Efforts include securing rice stocks and other activities aligned with food security, aiming for sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Sarwo outlines nine indicators for identifying food-vulnerable areas, encompassing availability factors such as consumption-production ratios, accessibility aspects related to electricity access, clean water, and household income, and utilization dimensions including healthcare workforce ratios, stunting rates, and life expectancy. The concerted efforts by Bapanas reflect a dedication to fortifying food resilience and independence in the face of potential challenges, contributing to the overall stability of Indonesia's food supply chain.
