TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) said the number of regions vulnerable to food insecurity decreased from 74 regencies/cities in 2022 to 68 regencies/cities in 2023, according to the Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas (FSVA).

“The decrease in areas vulnerable to food insecurity is a positive indication in terms of food security amid the threat of a food crisis,” the acting secretary of Bapanas, Sarwo Edhy, said in a written statement on Thursday, December 7.

He said the agency would continue to strengthen collaboration between the central and regional governments to boost food security programs. The synergy, he added, is the key to addressing food and nutrition challenges which requires the commitment of all elements to work together.

Sarwo also noted that efforts to stabilize commodity prices must be a common concern ahead of Christmas and New Year 2024.

As of December 2, Bapanas in tandem with the regional food agencies simultaneously conducted food bazaars in 35 provinces and distributed rice assistance totaling more than 1,006,000 tons out of a target of 1,085,000 tons in 2023 as intervention efforts to stabilize food prices and supply.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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