The 12th WNPG Discussion Forum in East Java

The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Sustainable Food Systems Coalition (KSPL), together with Garda Pangan, convened a cross-sectoral discussion forum as part of the 12th National Food and Nutrition Workshop (Widyakarya Nasional Pangan dan Gizi/WNPG) in East Java. WNPG is a forum that brings together stakeholders to discuss food and nutrition systems in Indonesia and serves as a basis for policy recommendations and decision-making.

The 12th WNPG cross-sectoral discussion forum was held on August 24, 2026, at the Movenpick Hotel, with Garda Pangan, in its capacity as the Central Regional Coordinator of KSPL, participating throughout the preparation and implementation of the forum.

Figure 1. Group photo of all invited participants at the 12th WNPG in East Java. Credit: Mario Aditya

The 12th WNPG discussion carried the theme “Strengthening the National Food and Nutrition Ecosystem to Support Large-Scale Nutrition Interventions.” Three speakers delivered presentations during a plenary session on the food and nutrition system in East Java, covering the following topics:

1. Food and Nutrition Security Policies in East Java Province, presented by the Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Division, East Java Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda);
2. Strengthening Local Food Production and Availability through the Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices, presented by a Lecturer in Digital Agribusiness at the Faculty of Food Security, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa); and
3. Initiatives for Addressing Food Loss and Waste, presented by Dedhy Bharoto Trunoyudho, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Garda Pangan.

In addition to inviting several speakers, the 12th WNPG discussion also brought together experts who served as members of the drafting team and as discussants during the forum. The experts who participated, both online and in person, included:

1. Prof. Nimmi Zulbainarni, S.Pi., M.Si.
2. Prof. dr. Rina Agustina, M.Sc., Ph.D.
3. Prof. Achmad Suryana, MS.
4. Prof. Dr. Edi Santosa, S.P., M.Si.

The invited participants also represented a range of sectors, including government institutions, civil society organizations, community groups, NGOs, and several business associations in the hospitality and food service sectors across East Java.

Figure 2. FGD session with facilitators from the KSPL team. Credit: Didit Andzas Bachtiar

In addition to the presentations delivered during the plenary session, the discussion continued through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The FGD sessions were divided into two topics:

1. Local food production and availability, including sustainable agricultural practices; and
2. Food and nutrition institutions and governance, with a particular focus on food loss and waste (FLW).

Overall, the discussion forum proceeded smoothly, with strong enthusiasm and active participation from the participants. The outcomes of the FGDs are expected to provide valuable input for developing recommendations to strengthen Indonesia’s food and nutrition system.