Strengthen the role of Indigenous communities in food sovereignty and biodiversity
The spirit of National Awakening Day should be used as a moment to strengthen the nation’s understanding of the crucial role played by Indigenous communities. Customary territories are regarded as the last bastion in safeguarding biodiversity and realising sustainable food sovereignty amid the threats of climate crisis. This was stated by Lestari Moerdijat, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), at an online discussion titled ‘Biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples, and Food’ organised by the Denpasar Forum Discussion 12 on Wednesday, 20 May. According to her, customary territories contain the wealth of forests and local food sources vital for ecosystems.
“Indigenous peoples are the last bastion in safeguarding biodiversity and realising sustainable food sovereignty,” said Lestari.
Lestari, known as “Rerie”, explained that the 20 May National Awakening Day theme, ‘Guard the Nation’s Youth for National Sovereignty’, closely relates to International Biodiversity Day on 22 May, which carries the theme ‘Acting on a Local Level that Has Global Impact’. She highlighted data from the Customary Territory Registration Agency (BRWA) showing that at least 4.9 million hectares of Indigenous cultivation areas underpin local autonomous food systems. Globally, Indigenous peoples are proven to conserve around 80% of the world’s biodiversity.
Lestari lamented the mass homogenisation of food consumption. Historical data show a drastic shift in Indonesia’s staple foods: this homogenisation pushes Indigenous territories to open monoculture lands that damage local spatial planning. “Yet we are capable of building food resilience based on local wisdom,” asserted the member of Parliament’s Commission X.
Hilmar Farid, PhD (Director General of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, 2019–2024), viewed a mindset problem in building food sovereignty. Although Indonesia possesses 100 local carbohydrate varieties, the country remains dependent on imported wheat. “Our food system is highly centralised, yet we are an archipelagic nation. Decentralisation of national food is the solution for the future,” he said.
Echoing this, Helianti Hilman of Javara Indigenous Indonesia sees significant opportunities to export local food products to global markets as health-conscious living trends rise. However, she criticised that the current crisis is one of policy, not supply.
From a community perspective, Dicky Senda (Lakoat Kujawas) highlighted the stigma of “food insecurity” in Timor arising simply because people do not eat rice, despite abundant local food sources.
Mongabay Indonesia’s Managing Editor, Sapariah Saturi, stressed that the government must promptly recognise Indigenous rights through the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. Without legal recognition, biodiversity and local food sources are at risk of extinction.
In closing, senior journalist Usman Kansong reminded that the development of food estates must not come at the expense of forests for bioethanol. “Efforts to preserve biodiversity must begin with small things, such as consuming local non-rice foods in daily life,” he urged.
Deputy Speaker Lestari Moerdijat also called for evaluating the ecosystem of literacy during the National Book Day. Reading indices have fallen, with Generation Z giving new hope.
The DPR (House of Representatives) also flagged vigilance against the spread of Hantavirus in Indonesia, noting 23 positive cases from 2024 to 2026, and urged stronger education and prevention.
Lestari Moerdijat urged comprehensive measures to address the online gambling emergency affecting around 200,000 youths. She also emphasised the importance of integrity in educational institutions to prevent illicit fees and accreditation fraud, for the character of the nation.
Moerdijat further urged empowerment of people with disabilities to master AI for economic independence and to accelerate SMEs in the digital era.