Darwati A. Gani: Strengthening Local Food Amidst the Threat of Global Conflict

04 March 2026 oleh admin

dpd.go.id Banda Aceh– Amidst the increasingly uncertain world conditions due to various global conflicts that have the potential to disrupt the food supply chain, Aceh Senator Darwati A. Gani invited the public to increasingly love and strengthen local food as a joint step to maintain regional and national food security. The invitation was conveyed during his visit to the tempeh production house owned by Rumoh Pangan Aceh in Alue Naga Village, Banda Aceh City, on Tuesday (3/3/2026).

In a warm, welcoming environment, Darwati directly observed the production process for tempeh made from sword bean and spoke with the working mothers who have been the main drivers of the production house.

One commodity being developed is the sword bean as an alternative to imported soybeans. This initiative is considered crucial given that Indonesia still imports approximately 3.2 million tons of soybeans annually, mostly from the United States, Canada, and Argentina. In Aceh, soybean demand reaches approximately 6,000 tons per year, and almost all tofu and tempeh producers still rely on imported supplies.

According to Darwati, this dependency serves as a reminder that global turmoil, including tensions among the United States, Israel, and Iran, can affect Indonesian kitchens through price increases and distribution disruptions.

She also recalled Aceh's recent experience when floods struck several areas. Distribution was disrupted, leading to shortages and price increases for some foodstuffs. This situation serves as an important lesson that food security is not only a global issue but is also highly relevant in emergencies within the region.

"When distribution is disrupted, we realize how important it is to have a strong food source locally. Therefore, strengthening local food needs to be a collective effort," said Darwati.

On that occasion, Darwati expressed her commitment to strengthening the local food movement through education and public promotion, so that people increasingly understand the importance of consuming locally sourced products.

She also appreciated the steps taken by Rumoh Pangan Aceh, which consistently encourages food diversification while empowering women through tempeh production houses at the village level.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Rumoh Pangan Aceh, Rivan, and his team presented the program's achievements, including mentoring jack bean farmers, strengthening village women’s production capacity, and promoting the consumption of local foods as an alternative to imported soybeans.

This visit serves as a momentum to strengthen collaboration among the community, business actors, and policymakers in building Aceh's food self-sufficiency based on local potential as a wise step in facing global uncertainty while strengthening regional resilience from past crises.