Enviro News Asia, Bandung – Breadfruit, a tropical fruit commonly found in Indonesian backyards, is now gaining global recognition as a strategic food source.
Indonesian breadfruit is not only diverse in taste but also holds significant potential to bolster national food security and even penetrate international markets.
This was stated by Dr. Ir. Mahfudz, M.P., Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, at a National Seminar & Expo titled “Breadfruit-Based Agroforestry Downstreaming,” organized by the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Agricultural Industrial Technology of Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) at Bale Sawala, Unpad Rectorate Building, Jatinangor Campus, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
“Breadfruit is recognized as a global food. There’s an agreement with the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) to develop breadfruit for conservation. Additionally, breadfruit also serves to develop forests that can be built together with communities, including their economy and food security,” explained Dr. Mahfudz during his talk show session, “Implementation of Forest Rehabilitation Policy in Social Forestry to Support Food, Water, and Energy Security.”
During the event, Dr. Mahfudz emphasized that the potential of breadfruit lies not only in its diverse flavors and economic benefits but also in its contribution to the environment.
Breadfruit can be developed through an agroforestry system, which can support social forestry programs, preserve forest ecosystems, and strengthen food, water, and energy security.
Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, S.H., M.H., stressed the importance of preserving local plants that were once a part of the rural identity.
He noted that the disappearance of characteristic village trees like breadfruit, kluwih, and putat indicates a cultural shift and poses challenges in maintaining environmental and energy security at the grassroots level.
“Breadfruit can be a source of energy, but today the trees are almost gone. Therefore, I ask Unpad to prepare the seeds again,” said Governor Mulyadi.
The event also featured opening remarks from Unpad Rector Prof. Arief S. Kartasasmita, and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Yayasan Sukun Nusantara Sejahtera and Unpad alumnus, Insyaf Malik.
The talk show session was moderated by Prof. Chay Asdak, Ir., M.Sc., Ph.D., a National Strategy Panel Expert for Flood Management at Bappenas, and featured Dr. (HC) Ir. Burhanuddin Abdullah, M.A., Chairman of the Board of Experts and Initiator of Danantara, who presented a seminar titled “Diversification to Achieve National Food Security,” as well as Rajendra.
Through this national seminar, Unpad, along with policymakers, reaffirmed their commitment to promoting breadfruit-based agroforestry downstreaming.
The collaboration between the government, academia, and the community is expected to strengthen food security while preserving the environment.
With its vast potential, breadfruit is not just a local identity but also a strategic opportunity for Indonesia to contribute to global food security. (*)
