Source teropongmedia.id / Author: Rizki – 04/25/2024, 10:00 WIB
This article has been published on teropongmedia.id with the title "West Java Food Task Force Ensures Staple Foods in Bandung Are Pesticide-Free“, Click to read: https://teropongmedia.id/kota-bandung-perlu-bangun-sistem-pangan-berkelanjutan.
BANDUNG, TEROPONGMEDIA.ID — The city of Bandung faces global challenges such as climate change and food security, so it is necessary to build a sustainable food system that ensures the availability of nutritious food, pays attention to local wisdom, and reduces food loss and food waste.
Food security is no longer just a matter for farmers. However, amid the threat of a global food crisis, the younger generation is now expected to play an important role in maintaining food availability, from consumption patterns to sustainable production.
Sub-Coordinator of Youth Resource Development and Character Education of the Bandung City Youth and Sports Service (Dispora), Iwan Sopha, said that involving youth in food issues is a new but important step.
"Usually young people are active in environmental issues, photography, or law. But food? This is the first. We want them to realize that they can also play a role in this field," said Iwan Sopha Thursday, (4/24/2025).
This activity is a continuation of the SPANGTAM program of the Agriculture Service last year, but now focuses on a youth approach.
Iwan also explained that this activity was held as an anticipatory step to welcome the World Food Barn 2045 and Indonesia's demographic bonus.
"If we, the old ones, don't make it to 2045, then we have to prepare the young people from now on. This is about their concern and active role in food issues, because the world is also facing the threat of a food crisis," he said.
In addition, Iwan said, the activity was not only filled with education, but also interactive workshops that provided practical knowledge about the food system and how to contribute to it, even without agricultural land. According to him, limited land in Bandung City is not a barrier.
"Let's take Singapore as an example. They don't have land, but they are still food independent through urban farming techniques. What's important is determination and knowledge," he said.
In line with Iwan, Hari from the Sinergantara community said that the food issue is everyone's issue.
"Bandung City is 96 percent supplied from outside. We want young people to become actors who are aware that food is not just about eating, but a system. Starting from production, distribution, to sustainable consumption," he said.
Hari also emphasized the importance of young people as change makers to change consumption patterns and build relationships between urban and rural youth.
"Young farmers in the village cannot survive without young consumers in the city. Conversely, young people in the city cannot eat without young farmers. We want to build awareness that they are interdependent," he said.
He also added that the activity was part of the global Urban Future program, which is currently being run in the city of Bandung, with three main focuses, namely youth, sustainable food systems, and climate change.
In addition, according to him, the food system in Bandung City itself already has complete components, from food MSME actors, restaurants, cafes, to urban farming movements.
However, awareness to see it as a single, interconnected system still needs to be strengthened.
"What we are doing now is connecting the dots into a conscious, sustainable and inclusive food ecosystem system," he concluded.
He also hopes to grow collective awareness that the role of youth in food is not just a trend, but a responsibility for the future of Indonesia. (Kyy/Usk)
