Zulhas Praises Kimpul Innovation: We Will Support Her Business Growth
The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), has highlighted the phenomenon of Indonesia’s dependence on imported wheat. He is encouraging the optimisation of local food sources, such as kimpul (taro), sweet potato, and cassava, as alternatives to primary carbohydrates.
He conveyed this message during a special interview on a detikcom podcast program, hosted by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of detikcom, Fajar Pratumnama. Zulhas noted that national wheat consumption has surged sharply, reaching 13 million tonnes per year.
“It is very dangerous if we consume what we cannot produce,” said Zulhas during the #ZulhasBikinJelas programme with detikcom.
He compared this situation to Latin American countries such as Colombia and Nicaragua, which share a similar tropical climate. Those nations are considered more successful in reducing imports by processing cassava flour into bread for daily consumption.
During the discussion, Zulhas specifically appreciated the innovation of a resident from Bantul. This woman has successfully processed kimpul, or taro, into modern dishes that have captured public attention on social media.
Zulhas plans to invite the kimpul creator to Jakarta for a direct discussion.
“My team will locate and invite her to the office to discuss how we can support her business to ensure further growth,” he stated.
Modern presentation is considered vital to attracting the interest of the younger generation in local food. Gen Z is currently known for being highly creative and increasingly mindful of healthy lifestyles. This momentum is seen as the perfect opportunity to elevate the status of tubers and taro to a higher level.
In addition to alternative carbohydrates, the Coordinating Minister for Food also highlighted the high rate of national rice consumption. Records show that rice consumption in Indonesia reaches almost 100 kilograms per capita annually. Unfortunately, this high proportion of rice is not balanced by adequate protein intake for children.
This protein deficiency is believed to have a direct impact on the physical stature of the Indonesian population. The average height of citizens in the country remains stuck at 165 centimetres, lagging far behind other Asian nations such as China and South Korea.
To address this nutritional imbalance, the government is preparing strategic steps at the village level.
“Therefore, the government will subsequently attempt to establish thematic programmes in 40,000 villages to increase fish production,” concluded Zulhas.