GKR Hemas Pushes for Regional Need-Based Food Policies

09 June 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id – Vice Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), GKR Hemas, emphasized that the success of national food development is heavily determined by the government's ability to understand the characteristics and needs of each region. Therefore, food policies cannot be formulated using a one-size-fits-all approach for the entire territory of Indonesia.

This was stated by GKR Hemas while leading a DPD RI working visit during a consultation meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Food in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/6/2026).

GKR Hemas appreciated the establishment of the Coordinating Ministry for Food as a strategic step to integrate various food policies, which had previously been scattered across several ministries and institutions.

"Food is not just a basic necessity for the community, but it concerns economic stability and the nation's welfare. Therefore, food governance must be integrated and grounded in the realities faced by the regions," said GKR Hemas, who attended alongside DPD RI Deputy Speaker Tamsil Linrung and leaders of DPD RI apparatuses.

During the meeting, DPD RI also highlighted the acceleration of the operationalization of the Merah Putih (Red and White) Village/Sub-district Cooperatives, which are projected to become food distribution hubs as well as drivers of the rural economy. According to GKR Hemas, these cooperatives play a strategic role because they serve not only as economic institutions but also as centers for absorbing agricultural yields, distributing basic necessities, storing food, and distributing various government programs. As a representative of the regions, DPD RI is ready to become a strategic partner for the government in ensuring that food programs run effectively and answer the needs of the community.

"DPD RI directly receives aspirations from all provinces, ranging from issues of food production, distribution, irrigation, land conversion, commodity trade governance, to the welfare of farmers and fishermen. These regional aspirations must become the foundation for formulating national food policy," she stressed.

GKR Hemas emphasized the importance of strengthening synergy between DPD RI and the Coordinating Ministry for Food through region-based mapping of food issues, monitoring the implementation of strategic programs, strengthening local government capacity, and drafting policy recommendations that are more responsive to public needs.

"Food challenges differ in every region. Therefore, a single policy approach for all regions will not be effective. Regions must become strategic partners in formulating national food solutions," she said.

Responding to this, the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, conveyed that the government continues to transform the food sector to accelerate the realization of national food self-sufficiency and security.

"As many as 33 regulations have been issued to simplify and deregulate policies, increase program implementation effectiveness, and improve governance to strengthen Indonesia's food self-sufficiency and security," said Zulkifli Hasan.

DPD RI hopes that this meeting will be the first step toward strengthening a more systematic and sustainable collaboration between DPD RI and the Coordinating Ministry for Food in achieving national food security that is inclusive, equitable, and based on regional potential.

"The relationship between the Coordinating Ministry for Food and DPD RI must not stop at consultation forums. There is still a vast amount of room open to build more concrete, measurable, and sustainable cooperation to strengthen national food security," concluded GKR Hemas.