Bapanas highlights commitment to strengthening regional food reserves

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) emphasized its commitment to supporting the strengthening of the Regional Government Food Reserves (CPPD) as one of the main strategies to build national food security based on regional food security.

Bapanas Chief Secretary Sarwo Edhy in Jakarta on Saturday noted that strengthening food reserves at the regional level is mandated by Law Number 18 of 2012 on Food.

"Article 23 of the Food Law clearly regulates matters on national food reserves, which comprise government food reserves, regional government food reserves, and community food reserves," he said.

According to him, the Government Food Reserves (CPP) are used for national-level interventions, such as the rice assistance program, which is set to commence soon.

Meanwhile, the CPPD plays a strategic role as buffer stocks at the local level, especially in anticipating and facing emergencies, disasters, or price fluctuations.

Edhy also highlighted the importance of synergy between relevant ministries and agencies in strengthening the regional food capacities.

He stressed that in addition to ensuring their availability, food reserves also need to be managed well down to the village level. The key to achieving this is solid management and strong collaboration.

"If food reserves at the district level are strong, they will be strong at the provincial and national level as well," he remarked.

He affirmed that Bapanas has coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has issued a circular urging regional governments to develop local food in accordance with the potential in their respective regions.

This is deemed essential to support the strengthening of the CPPD by increasing the production and consumption of food in line with the characteristics and advantages of respective regions.