In an exclusive interview with Miller Magazine, Dida Gardera, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture Trade of Indonesia, underscored the critical importance of global cooperation in addressing food security challenges, emphasizing the need for solidarity and collaboration among nations. He expressed optimism about the potential for continued engagement and partnership to ensure a sustainable and secure future for all.
During the IDMA EXPO in Istanbul, Dida Gardera, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture Trade of Indonesia, provided insights into Indonesia’s grain industry in an exclusive interview with Miller Magazine. Mr. Gardera reviewed the current state of Indonesia’s grain industry, emphasizing that rice and corn are the main commodities. He noted that while Indonesia typically fulfills its domestic rice needs through local production, challenges such as the El Niño phenomenon have impacted rice yields, leading to a 15% reduction compared to normal years.
Regarding wheat imports, Mr. Gardera stated that they are expected to increase in 2024 due to global economic improvements and population growth. When asked about future wheat consumption trends, he highlighted the rising demand for wheat in Indonesia, driven by the popularity of easy-to-prepare foods like noodles. He anticipates continued growth in wheat consumption, especially with the diversification of food products and the expanding population.
Addressing plans to reduce dependence on imported wheat, he mentioned ongoing research efforts to develop wheat varieties suitable for Indonesia’s tropical climate. While domestic cultivation remains a challenge, Indonesia remains hopeful for future advancements in this area.
He also discussed the risks to Indonesia’s food security, citing factors such as geopolitical situations, climate change, and El Niño. He stressed the importance of addressing these risks through comprehensive strategies, including education on diet diversification and collaboration with partner countries.
Regarding the IDMA Expo, Mr. Gardera highlighted its significance in showcasing technological advancements in flour production and fostering international collaboration in the grain processing industry.
Here are his responses to our questions:
Mr. Gardera, can you provide an overview of the current state of the grain industry in Indonesia?
Our main commodity is rice. In general, we can fulfill all the needs of our people through domestic production. However, last year, due to the El Niño phenomena, our rice production has been lower than usual. This has led to a reduction of about 15% compared to normal years. The second most important crop is corn, which serves both as a staple for human consumption and as feedstock for animals. Rice and corn are the two main commodities in our grain industry.
Additionally, we need to import wheat as it is not cultivated domestically. Wheat is utilized in various food products such as bread, noodles, and other food products.
What will be the volume of wheat imports in 2024?
The volume of wheat imports is expected to increase in 2024. This is assumed to be due to the improving global economy and population growth. Wheat is also widely used to mix animal feed. Wheat imports in 2023 has reached 10.95 million tons. The amount of imports increased by around 1.42 million tonnes or 14.9% of the import volume in 2022 of 9.53 million tonnes.
INDONESIA’S WHEAT DEMAND RISES
Do you foresee that the wheat consumption in Indonesia will increase in the future?
Wheat consumption in Indonesia has been on the rise due to the preference for easy-to-prepare foods, such as noodles. Instant noodles have become widely popular in Indonesia. Recently, wheat has also been used as a substitute for corn in animal feed. With the growing population and the diversification of food products, I anticipate that wheat consumption will continue to increase.
Does Indonesia have plans to reduce dependence on imported wheat?
We rely on imported wheat due to our tropical climate, which is not suitable for wheat cultivation. However, our universities and research institutions are actively conducting research to develop wheat varieties that can thrive in tropical climates. We hope that someday we will be able to cultivate wheat domestically.
What is the current level of wheat flour consumption in Indonesia?
The average consumption of wheat flour in Indonesia was 2.94 kg per capita per year in 2023. This marked a 6.75% increase compared to the previous year, which was 2.75 kg per capita per year.
In your speech at the opening of the IDMA Expo, you mentioned that Indonesia faces some risks regarding its food security. Can you elaborate on these risks?
Indeed, Indonesia faces various risks that threaten its food security. For instance, last year, we encountered increased commodity prices due to geopolitical situations worldwide and the impact of El Niño. El Niño resulted in reduced yields in other countries, leading to a shortage in rice supply and subsequent price hikes. Despite the high prices, we continued to import rice to ensure food security for our population.
Therefore, it is imperative for us to consider the entire ecosystem of rice provision in Indonesia, including seed planting and supply chains. Additionally, we must educate the populace on diversifying their diets and grain commodities.
Our primary goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in grain production, but we recognize that we cannot do it alone. Hence, we must collaborate with partner countries to ensure access to rice and grains for our people.
What would be the alternative for rice in Indonesia?
For certain groups of people, options like wheat bread and noodles are viable alternatives. However, it’s important to note that not all segments of our population have a habit of consuming bread. Therefore, we need to focus on educating our people to diversify their daily consumption habits.
Before the widespread consumption of rice, Indonesia had traditional wisdom regarding the consumption of various foods such as corn, sago, various tubers, and other food commodities. Thus, part of our strategy involves reintroducing and promoting the consumption of these alternative grains among our population.
INDONESIA EYES MODERN SILOS TO BOOST GRAIN STORAGE EFFICIENCY
Grain storage is crucial for ensuring food security in any country. What is the current state of grain storage infrastructure in Indonesia? Do you currently have sufficient capacity to store rice and other grains, or are there plans in place to expand silo capacity to meet future needs?
In Indonesia, we primarily rely on conventional warehouses for grain storage. Rice is typically stored in bags within these warehouses. However, I believe there is room for improvement in how we store our grains. Utilizing modern silos would allow us to store grains safely for longer periods. During my visit to the IDMA Expo, I had the opportunity to learn in detail about the effectiveness of modern silos in preserving grains. Upon my return to Indonesia, I intend to communicate with our stakeholders to explore the possibility of collaborating with silo manufacturers here. We may consider increasing our silo capacity to enhance our grain storage capabilities.
IDMA EXPO’S IMPACT ON INNOVATION IN INDONESIA’S GRAIN INDUSTRY
What are Indonesian delegates hoping to find at IDMA Expo? Are there specific products or technologies you are looking for?
Primarily, we import wheat and process it in Indonesia to produce flour. Therefore, at IDMA Expo, we are seeking new technologies that are more energy-efficient and can help reduce losses in the production process. Our goal is to gather information that will enable us to enhance the industrial process for flour production in Indonesia.
Can you also share your feedbacks regarding the IDMA Expo? How do you perceive the role of events like the IDMA Expo in fostering innovation and advancement in the grain processing industry?
The IDMA Expo has been an excellent exhibition. Turkey is renowned for its technological advancements in flour production, and I believe we can learn a great deal of valuable information here. I intend to share the insights gained at IDMA with our stakeholders in Indonesia. It’s worth noting that IDMA was hosted in our country last year, and I hope we will have the opportunity to host it again in the coming years. I consider IDMA to be crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the grain processing industry.
What can you say about the relationship between Turkey and Indonesia?
We hold a deep appreciation for Turkey and its people. While there is existing cooperation in terms of trade and investments between our countries, there is ample opportunity for further development and enhancement of our collaboration. We believe that the trade volume between Turkey and Indonesia should increase significantly. Additionally, we share several common values, which provide a strong foundation for strengthening our cooperation in various fields. wqe are optimistic about the potential to further develop and expand the relationship between Indonesia and Turkey.
Is there anything you want to add?
Food security is not solely the responsibility of one country. Climate change, which poses a threat to food security, is a global issue that affects us all. It’s imperative that we address food security collectively, as nations. In times of food scarcity, countries should support each other, fostering cooperation and solidarity.
During this exhibition and similar events, I’ve had the opportunity to meet numerous stakeholders. I believe that through continued engagement and collaboration, we can strengthen our cooperation not only in the food and agriculture sectors but also across various other industries. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable and secure future for all.