WFH: Strengthening the National Food System Amid Global Geopolitical Turmoil

Work from home (WFH) is not merely a work arrangement. In an era of turbulent global geopolitics, WFH can serve as a buffer and reinforcer against shocks to the food system. In April 2026, the global food economy was disrupted due to interruptions in energy and fertiliser supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the global food price index rose.

Indonesia also has the potential to experience similar conditions. Moreover, Bank Indonesia reported food inflation at around 4.24% in March 2026. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) also reported that Indonesia’s annual inflation in March 2026 was 3.48%. This serves as a reminder that food and logistics shocks still affect domestic prices.

The government responded by issuing a WFH policy for Civil Servants (ASN) through Circular Letter of the Minister of PAN-RB Number 3 of 2026. WFH will take effect from 10 April 2026—every Friday, ASN will work from home.

The WFH policy is intriguing to discuss, especially its connection to Indonesia’s food system and global geopolitical turmoil. WFH alters the location of food demand; meanwhile, geopolitics alters how food is supplied.

WFH and Food Demand Patterns

In Indonesia, WFH is more than just a transition of workplace: from office to home. Especially since the world is geopolitically unstable. Food demand must be rearranged; food supply resilience is tested; and awareness of the importance of local food systems and digital infrastructure needs to be heightened again.

WFH means ASN will spend more time at home. Food demand will also shift. Some will prefer to cook themselves because they have more time; thus, their food demand shifts to fresh local food and spices.

Other considerations: cooking oneself is cheaper and healthier. The quality and safety of the food is more assured. Their meal times are also more flexible. However, this also brings negative consequences. Snacking habits increase; and cause worsening food consumption patterns.

This differs from normal conditions. Many ASN consume food bought around the office, especially for lunch. However, even with WFH, not a few ASN’s food demand does not shift: they still buy ready-to-eat or semi-processed food, usually ordered online. The reason: it is more practical.

Therefore, WFH does not automatically change food demand patterns and turn ASN’s eating habits healthier. It depends on their own habits and discipline. Because changing habits is not easy.

Thus, the WFH policy should be accompanied by a campaign to buy and consume local food. This will invigorate the local economy. Farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) will get opportunities to supply food needs during WFH. Food resilience will be maintained, even amid global geopolitical turmoil.

Global Geopolitical Turmoil and Food Supply

Global geopolitical turmoil impacts Indonesia’s food supply, especially imported food. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, Indonesia still imports 7.8 million metric tons of wheat from July 2025 to January 2026. That is up 30.4% from the previous year. Indonesia also still imports 2.7 million metric tons of soybeans in 2025/2026.

The rise in imported soybean prices (due to increased logistics costs) also causes tempeh prices in Indonesia to rise. This will impact Indonesians who favour tempeh as an affordable protein source. The same applies to wheat; noodle prices in Indonesia will rise.

Besides imported food, local food also has the potential to rise. This is because energy supplies (oil) and fertilisers are also affected by current global geopolitical turmoil, especially conflicts in the Middle East. The World Bank’s March 2026 report also states that conflicts are the main driver of acute global food insecurity, besides climate change.

Global geopolitical turmoil also changes household food resilience. Households become more sensitive to price fluctuations, the reliability of local food supplies, and the quality of digital logistics. However, if global geopolitical turmoil is handled well, it can also create opportunities.

Opportunities Behind the Challenges of Global Geopolitical Turmoil

Global political turmoil can be an opportunity: to strengthen the national food system through WFH. WFH raises awareness: digital infrastructure is crucial for modern food systems. Digital buying and selling transactions of food by Indonesian society is commonplace. They can order food products from home via their gadgets.

Thus, local food systems also need to be equipped and connected with digital infrastructure, such as delivery apps and digital payments.

Digital infrastructure can help local food producers and UMKM expand market access. In addition, consumers also benefit—they can choose the best quality and price of food products (good deals).

However, digital infrastructure also needs to be well regulated. The aim is to protect local food systems (local food producers and UMKM) from monopoly/oligopoly practices in the market by large companies that have established digital infrastructure and strong capital.

In addition, local food systems also need to be supported by good food management and traceability systems (food traceability). The aim is to ensure the quality and safety of local food (local food quality and safety). Thus, synergy between WFH and government programmes related to food also needs to be intensified.

The government—through the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM—is promoting food downstreaming programmes, especially aquatic food such as seaweed, shrimp, tuna, and tilapia (BKPM, 2023). ASN on WFH should be encouraged to commit to the success of government programmes—consuming downstreamed products, for example, local aquatic food products.

In conclusion, WFH should be able to increase local food consumption; it can help