Bogor, 15 April 2025 – In an effort to empower Indonesia’s educational communities to address the nation’s food security challenges, SEAMEO BIOTROP convened a national Workshop and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) under the theme “Strategies for Strengthening Food Security through Urban Agriculture Training for Educational Communities.” Held on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, the event took place in a hybrid format—combining onsite sessions at SEAMEO BIOTROP’s headquarters in Bogor with online participation via Zoom.

The event brought together 249 participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including teachers and principals from Special Education Schools (SLB), high school institutions, universities, the Education Quality Assurance Agency (BGP), and other educational institutions across Indonesia. It provided a platform for exchanging ideas and practical strategies to incorporate urban agriculture into the educational landscape.

In his keynote address, Prof. Arif Satria, Rector of IPB University and SEAMEO BIOTROP Governing Board Member for Indonesia, outlined ten major challenges to Indonesia’s food security. He cited climate change, decreasing agricultural land, unbalanced consumption patterns, dependency on food imports, and significant food loss and waste as key concerns. Emphasizing the need for a holistic approach, he stated, “Solving the food crisis is not just about increasing production — it’s about educating consumers, driving innovation, and inspiring young farmers to shape the future of Indonesia’s food system.” He underscored the urgency for post-harvest technology innovation, enhanced logistics, informed consumer behavior, and the regeneration of young agricultural leaders.
Following the keynote, experts from the government and academic sectors shared strategies to embed urban agriculture into educational programs. Ir. Fahturahman, MEd, PhD, addressed the importance of community-based food resilience in urban education. Dr. Prayudi Syamsuri, S.P., M.Si, Special Staff to the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, discussed strategies for national food connectivity and policy support. Dr. Ir. Supriyanto, Senior Affiliate Scientist at SEAMEO BIOTROP, introduced innovative agricultural technologies aimed at supporting sustainable urban food systems.

Participants were later divided into three breakout groups led by SEAMEO BIOTROP department managers. Dewi Suryani, M.M., Manager of the Human Centre and Innovation Department, facilitated discussions on institutional synergy and policy integration. Risa Rosita, M.Si., Manager of the Science and Technology Innovation Department, guided sessions on project-based learning and innovative farming methods. Slamet Widodo, M.Sc., Manager of Facilities Management and Development, led conversations on practical school-based farming practices, such as rooftop gardening and compost systems.

These discussions led to three key outcomes: strengthening the role of schools as centers of sustainable agriculture education and practice, policy support for curriculum integration of urban agriculture, and the development of nationwide urban farming training and school projects.

In her opening remarks, Ir. Suharti, MA, PhD, Secretary General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, emphasized the central role of education in fostering resilient and food-secure communities. She highlighted programs such as Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism, the School of Biodiversity, and SMARTS-BE (Sekolah Mandiri Produksi Tanaman Sayur dan Buah Edukasi) as practical examples of how schools can become innovation hubs. “Food security is not merely about increasing food production, but about cultivating a mindset and lifestyle that values sustainability, innovation, and responsibility,” she noted.

The event was officially opened by Dr. Elis Rosdiawati, Acting Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, who stressed the importance of education in building environmentally aware and food-resilient generations. She noted that urban agriculture is not only a solution to land limitations in urban areas, but also a powerful and contextual learning tool.

SEAMEO BIOTROP sees this initiative as a catalyst for broader collaboration and future action. The organization aims to expand the SMARTS-BE model and integrate food security education more deeply into both formal and non-formal education systems across Indonesia. As urban environments face escalating environmental and food-related pressures, educational institutions are increasingly recognized as key drivers of sustainable development and community empowerment.