Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — A lecturer from the Nutrition Study Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ), has shared insights gained from Germany on the development of sustainable organic food value chains, which are considered relevant for application in Indonesia.
Dian Luthfiana Sufyan participated in the SDG Alumni Project 2026 in Germany, a capacity-building program for alumni of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). The program focused on sustainable organic value chains and was held from January 7 to 19, 2026.
Dian was selected to represent Indonesia and UPNVJ through a competitive process conducted by the host institution, Universität Kassel. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the Human Nutrition Department, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, with research focusing on energy intake regulation, toddler snacking behavior, and its relationship to stunting.
The program brought together DAAD alumni from countries across the Global South, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America, and Africa, representing diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
During the first week in Witzenhausen, activities included seminars, workshops, and field visits centered on sustainable food systems, organic food marketing, and value chain development. Participants visited Upländer Bauern Molkerei, a cooperative established in 1898 that specializes in the production and processing of high-quality regional organic dairy products. Another field visit was conducted to Naturkost Elkershausen, an organic food wholesaler supplying fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and beverages.
In the second week, participants traveled to Berlin to attend the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) and the International Green Week (Grüne Woche). In 2026, the GFFA highlighted water as its central theme, addressing critical global issues related to food and agricultural policy. The forum featured a keynote address by Retno Marsudi, the United Nations Special Envoy on Water, who emphasized the importance of integrated approaches to water and agriculture. During the same period, Dian also attended the International Green Week, a major international trade fair for the food, agriculture, and horticulture sectors.
Dian observed that organic products in Germany have become an integral part of everyday life rather than a niche market. She noted that the “bio” label is no longer viewed as an alternative option, but as a basic consumer necessity.
She identified several key challenges facing the development of organic food systems in Indonesia, including relatively high product prices, low consumer awareness, and the high costs of production and certification. Despite these challenges, participants from Southeast Asia agreed on three priority measures: providing incentives for organic farmers, strengthening consumer education, and improving value chains, infrastructure, and certification systems.
For UPNVJ, which carries the identity of a State Defense Campus (Kampus Bela Negara), participation in this international program is seen as strengthening the university’s contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), expanding global academic networks, and integrating sustainability issues into the university’s three core missions of education, research, and community service.
Dian expressed hope that the experience would inspire academics and stakeholders in Indonesia to collaboratively build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food system. (www.upnvj.ac.id)
