TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Food Agency’s (Bapanas) director of food availability, Budi Waryanto, confirmed that Indonesia is ranked 63rd out of 113 countries in terms of food security, as its Global Food Security Index (GFSI) score in 2022 was 60.2.

“Our GFSI is not good, the score is 60.2. We need to keep improving it because there is a downward trend globally,” Budi said at a press briefing at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) Office, South Jakarta, Tuesday, Dec. 5.

According to him, all elements, both the government and the community, should be concerned about the country’s low ranking in food security performance. Besides, the world is facing various uncertainties related to food in 2023.

“First, geopolitical conditions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, plus Israel-Palestine,” he mentioned. Other factors include climate change, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and food supply disruptions.

These various factors, Budi assessed, have led to disruptions in the global supply of fertilizer and fuel, spikes in food prices, restrictions on food exports, and an increase in the prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity.

Based on the Economist Impact report, Indonesia's food security score in 2022 increased by 1.7 percent from the previous year's score of 59.2 points.

To improve food security, Bapanas continued to develop central-regional food balances, strengthen the management of national food reserves, and distribute rice food assistance in 2023.

“Rice aid is provided at 10 kg per family through Perum BULOG (state logistics agency),” Budi said. As of November 18, 2023, 207,205 tons of rice had been distributed in September, 206,949 tons in October, and 205,286 tons in November in 38 provinces.

The Bapanas director also said there was a proposal for an extended rice aid program in December 2023.

DEFARA DHANYA PARAMITHA

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