Indonesia is known for its abundant natural resources and for having various ingredients, but unfortunately, it has not been utilized to the fullest, therefore affecting food security in Indonesia. This was delivered by Apriyanto Dwi Nugroho, S. TO., M.Sc – Head of the Center for Diversification of Consumption and Food Safety of the Agency for Food Security of the Agriculture Ministry – at the National Seminar titled “Increasing the Industrialization of Local Food Through Exploration of Its Utilization”. The seminar was held on 1 November 2019 at UPH Lippo Village, Tangerang.

Apriyanto Dwi Nugroho added, “Indonesia has various types of local ingredients. However, until now, there are still many Indonesians who think that our local ingredients are of low quality and less prestigious or ‘plebeian’. This has proved to be a challenge; therefore, we must find a way to change the image of our local ingredients from ‘plebeian’ to ‘modern’. One way to do this is by innovating.”

Seminar Nasional presented experts in the food industry, such as Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwiyatno Hariyadi – Professor of ITP FATETA IPB Department and Vice Chairperson of Codex Alimentarus Commission, and Adhi S. Lukman – Head of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association. Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT, or the Association of Women Farmers), university students, and high school students also attended this seminar.

Although there are challenges to be faced, local ingredients also receive opportunities and they have the potential to improve its usage and value.

Adhi S. Lukman said, “All this time, Indonesia exports raw products, but now the President encourages exportation of other processed products as well. This can be a chance for Indonesia’s processed products to go international.”

Adhi also added that the availability of food products that are made using local ingredients are supported by small and medium-sized enterprises (UKKM). However, UKKM still faces challenges from many aspects such as capital, competence, ability, affordability, and food security.

In line with what Adhi delivered, Dr. Ir. Purwiyatno Hariyadi also sees the opportunity of improving through foreigners who look for Indonesia’s local ingredients. This was observed through a 2010 survey.

Dr. Ir. Purwiyatno Hariyadi said, “Many people of other countries search ingredients from Indonesia. The reason is that the local ingredients here are fresh because they will not travel far.”

To close his lecture, Purwiyatno added that Indonesia must promote a movement to love their products. The young generation, including UPH students, is responsible to play this role, to spread the movement.

Seminar Nasional is part of the yearly program of UPH Food Technology called Food Explore 12. Food Explore 12 is organized from 30 October to 3 November 2019 with the peak of the event held at Lippo Mall Puri, Jakarta, from 2 to 3 November 2019.