Gov Partners with Experts to Strengthen Food Security

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), alongside several international experts, discussed strengthening the security, health, and resilience of the food supply chain as part of the 12th National Workshop on Food and Nutrition (WNPG XII). The discussion, which took place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, highlighted the strategic role of the quarantine system in maintaining food security, controlling the risk of pests and diseases, and supporting the smooth flow of commodity trade.

Representing the Head of Barantin, Principal Secretary Shahandra Hanitiyo stated that international perspectives and experiences serve as vital input for formulating the WNPG XII recommendations. The forum, themed "Strengthening the National Food and Nutrition Ecosystem to Support Large-Scale Nutrition Interventions," is scheduled to present its recommendations to the President of the Republic of Indonesia on October 16, 2026.

Shahandra explained that strengthening the quarantine system requires prioritizing Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) principles, which encompass science-based approaches, risk management, transparency, harmonization, equivalence, and non-discrimination. These principles are considered essential for ensuring commodity safety while maintaining Indonesia's market access at the global level.

She added that Barantin is continuously transforming from a passive overseer into a government economic accelerator through its technical and diplomatic functions. The technical function is realized by meeting international standards set by Codex Alimentarius, WOAH, and IPPC, while the diplomatic function is carried out through the negotiation of quarantine protocols with export destination countries.

Jarot Indarto, Director of Food and Agriculture at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and Chair of the Technical Team, noted that the visit by international experts to Barantin offered an opportunity to deepen understanding of the quarantine system's role in ensuring food safety. Echoing this sentiment, Aman Wirakartakusumah, Coordinator of the WNPG XII Drafting Team, noted that food safety is a key focus of the discussions particularly the role of quarantine agencies as gateways for the movement of food commodities.

This role is closely linked to efforts to foster cooperation that supports economic growth and establishes robust food and nutrition systems.

Among international experts, Professor of Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Policies at Université Laval and President of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), Samuel Godefroy, assessed that Barantin's function as the frontline role in managing import and export flows helps build other countries' trust in Indonesia's supervisory system. Meanwhile, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Food and Nutrition at Sookmyung Women's University and President of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), Hyun-Sook Kim, said she was ready to collaborate with Barantin in controlling and monitoring nutritional quality.

On the other hand, Sriyanto, Barantin’s Deputy for Animal Quarantine, revealed that strengthening the quarantine system still faces several challenges, including data synchronization across seaports, airports, and State Border Crossing Posts (PLBN), as well as integration with the National Logistics Ecosystem (NLE). Discussions also covered the experiences of Canada and other developed nations regarding the strengthening of food safety, science-based risk analysis, pest and disease control, and biosecurity.

Shahandra emphasized that the insights provided by these international experts would inform the drafting of WNPG XII recommendations and open up opportunities for further collaboration on capacity building, the modernization of quarantine services, and the global recognition of the equivalence of Indonesia’s quarantine system.