East Jakarta Relies on Urban Farming to Strengthen Food Security

The East Jakarta City Government is making the urban farming programme a mainstay strategy in strengthening food security and welfare. “The East Jakarta City Government continues to encourage the strengthening of the urban farming programme through coaching farmer groups and urban farming activists, providing assistance to the community, as well as developing various activities that support the improvement of food security and the economic empowerment of residents,” said Fauzi, Assistant for Economy and Development of the East Jakarta City Secretariat, on Monday. This commitment has again received recognition after East Jakarta achieved a number of accomplishments at the 2026 DKI Jakarta Provincial Urban Farming Festival at Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta, on 4-5 July. In the event, which was part of the 2026 Jakarta Kreatif Festival (JKF), East Jakarta won first place in the Best Harvest Results competition and contributed to the achievement of a MURI record through the display of more than 25 types of harvest products. Meanwhile, Cipayung Regional General Hospital won second place in the Urban Farming category for Health and Social Service Institutions. According to Fauzi, the development of urban farming is not only oriented towards competitions, but is also part of efforts to build sustainable urban food security. “The utilisation of land in residential areas can produce healthy food while increasing community income. Urban farming is also an educational medium for residents to manage land productively and in an environmentally friendly manner,” he explained. He assessed that this synergy is important capital in optimising land use through the cultivation of agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry, as well as the processing of agricultural products as part of strengthening food security in East Jakarta. “In the future, we hope that more people will implement urban farming in their respective environments. With continuously strengthened collaboration, this programme can improve food security, enhance environmental quality, create economic opportunities, and support sustainable urban development,” said Fauzi. Furthermore, he expressed his appreciation to all parties, from the ranks of the East Jakarta Administrative City Government, heads of Regional Apparatus Work Units (UKPD), sub-district heads, urban village heads, Bank Jakarta East Jakarta Region, the media, to urban farming activists who have contributed to the success of East Jakarta’s participation in the festival.