Global pandemic needs local solutions for sustainable food systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has created disruption in our food systems. The decades of effort to homogenize Indonesian food systems has made our food security vulnerable to supply shocks. The global pandemic needs local solutions that take full account of the potential diversity of Indonesia's food systems. Policymakers must put cluster-based value chains into practice, support initiatives promoting food systems resilience, harmonize food system issues from agriculture to health, while promoting more diversified diets to the public.

Since Indonesia’s first confirmed case of COVID-19, there have been episodes of panic-buying and panic-selling. Such panic potentially contributes additional food waste. The large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) have naturally forced businesses to more geographically clustered food supply and distribution channels.

To some, the pandemic stimulates more digital platforms that allow transactions with less contact among those involved. But many stakeholders in our food systems, especially small-scale food producers, are not prepared for such transformations. Rapid assessment conducted by EntreVA and AGRILogics showed that most food chain stakeholders are aware of the disruption but few are ready to adjust their business practices.