RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian food took center stage at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, where visitors sampled sago‑based dishes such as papeda with yellowfin tuna soup, spicy fried sago noodles, and eurimoo (sago cake).

The culinary showcase reflected collaboration between FAO and the Indonesian government in promoting sustainable agri‑food systems.

Several international participants expressed admiration for the flavors, with a participant from Rwanda describing the sago noodles as light and refreshing, while a participant from Japan praised the balance of sweet and spicy tastes.

FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor‑Leste, Rajendra Aryal, said the diversity of dishes reflects the long‑term partnership between FAO, local communities, and the Indonesian government. “We combine tradition, innovation, and concrete action to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and better livelihoods for all -- leaving no one behind,” he said.

The culinary exhibition, titled “Flavors of the Archipelago: From Smart Farms to Diverse Foods”, was part of the FAO Global Conference on Smart Agriculture. Held at the Foods Lab in the FAO Museum, it was organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Rome in collaboration with the FAO Representative Office in Indonesia.

Beyond food, the exhibition showcased agricultural technologies and success stories from farmers across regions, including modernizing sago processing in Papua, developing smart fishing villages in West Java, chili cultivation in Sumatra, and IoT‑based precision farming for pisang mas kirana banana farmers in Lumajang, East Java.

“Indonesia’s extraordinary diversity is reflected in its rich culture and traditions, including our culinary and agricultural heritage,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Italy and the UN in Rome, Junimart Girsang, in a statement on Thursday, July 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Junimart emphasized that strong food and agricultural systems are the foundation of resilient societies. He added that Indonesia believes traditions and innovation can coexist by leveraging local knowledge to build a sustainable food system prepared to face future challenges.

FAO’s Director of Plant Production and Protection Division, Yurdi Yasmi, highlighted urgent global challenges such as climate change, soil and water degradation, rising fertilizer prices, and labor shortages.

“Smart agriculture is the solution amid these challenges. By using up‑to‑date data, technology, precision‑based interventions, and automation, we can make more informed decisions to boost productivity,” he said.

Yasmi added that smart agriculture must integrate science, innovation, and local community knowledge. “Of course, this must take into account the agricultural, environmental, economic, and social conditions of the local community,” he noted. ***