UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) is stepping up its efforts to tackle national food security challenges, particularly in alignment with the government’s initiative to provide free nutritious meals. In line with this mission, UNAIR hosted a discussion titled Food Security and the Culture of Nutritious Eating on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Management Office Hall, 1st Floor, Campus MERR-C, UNAIR.
The event brought together two distinguished UNAIR academics: Prof. Dr. Mustofa Helmi Effendi, drh, DTAPH, from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Prof. Dr. Bagong Suyanto, Drs., M.Si., a sociology and poverty expert. They shared perspectives on addressing food security issues, with a particular focus on the needs of impoverished communities.
Linking food security and poverty challenges
Prof. Dr. Bagong Suyanto highlighted the intricate relationship between poverty, inequality, and access to food. He argued that any effort to strengthen food security in Indonesia must address the nation’s persistent social inequalities.
“In Indonesia, the poverty line is set at Rp500,000 per month, meaning families earning above Rp2 million are no longer classified as poor. However, the real issue is not income alone but access to nutritious food,” Prof. Suyanto said.
He critiqued the government’s efforts to promote nutritious eating among low-income populations, pointing out their limited effectiveness. “Promoting nutritious diets will not succeed while the purchasing power for essential healthy foods, such as those in the ‘4 Healthy, 5 Perfect’ diet framework, remains low. Without systemic support for marginalized groups, these programs amount to little more than charity,” he added.
He further criticized government initiatives for failing to empower impoverished communities. “There needs to be a genuine effort to enable low-income families to meet their nutritional needs independently. Yet, to date, food security and nutritious eating programs still raise numerous questions regarding their target audience and implementation,” he stated.
Free-range broilers and potential for nutritious food
Prof. Effendi, on the other hand, proposed a strategic solution centered on poultry farming, particularly through the development of free-range broilers. He highlighted broiler chickens as a cost-effective and nutrient-rich source of protein for the general population.
“Free-range broilers offer a viable solution to meeting the nation’s demand for nutritious food. They are relatively easy to raise, require low initial investment, and provide nutrient-rich yields,” Prof. Effendi explained.
He expressed optimism that improving poultry farming systems could significantly enhance access to nutritious food nationwide.
UNAIR role in food security
In an exclusive interview, UNAIR Rector Prof. Mohammad Nasih, SE, MT, Ak, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to contributing research-based solutions for food security and community empowerment. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Prof. Nasih expressed confidence in UNAIR’s potential to make meaningful strides in addressing national food security challenges.
“We must design food security programs that not only deliver short-term results but also empower communities to meet their nutritional needs independently,” Prof. Nasih concluded.
Author: Adinda Aulia Pratiwi
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
