Save Food - Reducing Food Losses in Indonesia

Summary

Food waste is a major challenge in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region, where nearly half of all fruits and vegetables are lost before reaching consumers. In 2022, the FAO collaborated with Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture to address food loss, focusing on commodities like chili, shallots, and cabbage. Factors such as weak logistics, price volatility, and poor post-harvest practices contribute to the problem. However, initiatives like post-harvest training and improved infrastructure are reducing waste and boosting economic returns for farmers. Collaborative efforts aim to strengthen the agricultural supply chain, ensuring more sustainable, waste-free food production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Food losses and waste in Indonesia reach alarming levels, affecting both agricultural entrepreneurs and consumers.
• 😀 Across the Asia-Pacific region, nearly half of all fruits and vegetables are wasted or lost before reaching consumers.
• 😀 In 2022, the FAO worked with Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture to identify the bottlenecks contributing to food loss, focusing on commodities like chili, shallots, and cabbage.
• 😀 Food losses in Indonesia's horticultural commodities range from 20% to 60%, caused by weak distribution, price volatility, poor post-harvest management, and an imbalanced supply chain.
• 😀 A significant amount of food loss occurs during the handling stage at rural collection centers, due to insufficient skills, equipment, and expertise.
• 😀 Post-harvest training for supply chain actors can help reduce food loss and waste, leading to more efficient systems and greater sustainability.
• 😀 Farmers in Central Java's shallot industry have reduced food losses by establishing PT Cakmur, a private company that processes lower-grade shallots for economic return.
• 😀 Without innovative efforts like those in the shallot industry, losses could exceed 20%, especially during extreme climate conditions.
• 😀 The Indonesian government is committed to addressing post-harvest challenges, recognizing the importance of integrated logistics and support for smallholder farmers and small-scale agribusinesses.
• 😀 Solutions like post-harvest training programs and the establishment of agro-distribution centers can enhance skills, knowledge, and infrastructure, ultimately reducing food loss and creating a more sustainable future.

Q & A

What is the scale of food losses and waste in Indonesia?

Food losses and waste in Indonesia are at very high levels, with nearly half of all fruits and vegetables wasted or lost before they reach consumers.

How does the food loss issue in Indonesia compare to the Asia-Pacific region?

Indonesia is not alone in facing this challenge. Across the Asia-Pacific region, nearly half of all fruits and vegetables are lost or wasted before reaching consumers.

What role did the FAO play in addressing food loss in Indonesia?

In 2022, the FAO provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture to identify and address bottlenecks in the food supply chain, focusing on horticultural commodities like chili, shallots, and cabbage.

What were the findings of the FAO’s assessment of food losses in Indonesia?

The FAO found that food losses in key agricultural commodities like chili, shallots, and cabbage range from 20% to as much as 60%, caused by issues such as weak distribution, logistics, price volatility, and poor post-harvest management.

Which factors contribute to the high levels of food loss in Indonesia?

Several factors contribute to food loss in Indonesia, including weak control in distribution and logistics, price volatility, poor post-harvest management, and imbalanced supply chains.

Where does food loss typically occur in the Indonesian agricultural supply chain?

Food loss often occurs at the handling stage in rural collection centers, where insufficient skills, outdated equipment, and lack of expertise lead to unnecessary waste.

How can post-harvest training help reduce food loss in Indonesia?

Post-harvest training for supply chain actors can lead to significant reductions in food loss by improving handling practices, equipment use, and overall efficiency in the supply chain.

Can you provide an example of a successful initiative to reduce food loss in Indonesia?

One successful initiative is in the shallot industry in Brebes, Central Java, where farmers established PT Cakmur, a private company that processes lower-grade shallots. This initiative has reduced food loss and provided additional income for farmers.

What role do smallholder farmers play in Indonesia’s agricultural sector?

Smallholder farmers dominate Indonesia’s agricultural sector, which is why addressing post-harvest challenges and improving logistics and infrastructure are crucial for reducing food loss and improving food security.

What is the Indonesian government's approach to tackling food loss?

The Indonesian government is addressing food loss by focusing on improving post-harvest management, strengthening supply chain infrastructure, and establishing agro-distribution centers to improve logistics and reduce waste.

How can Indonesia achieve a more sustainable agricultural future?

By enhancing skills, knowledge, and infrastructure through post-harvest training and agro-distribution centers, Indonesia can significantly reduce food loss, improve food security, and create a more sustainable agricultural future.