A delegation from Indonesia’s National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the House of Representatives’ Commission IV, which focuses on agriculture, recently visited Sweden to explore advanced food provision systems. Led by Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo, the group toured an integrated livestock and plantation area in Bona-Munsö, Stockholm, a site with historical roots extending back to the Viking era.
During their visit on May 20, the delegation observed the site’s innovative approach to livestock management, where 400 cattle roam freely across 800 hectares, illustrating the benefits of the free ranch system. This visit underscored the potential for Indonesia to enhance its own food security, particularly in light of current challenges in meeting national beef and buffalo beef demand, which stands at 459,000 tons produced this year versus a demand of 819,000 tons.
Prasetyo highlighted the importance of adapting successful international practices to Indonesian conditions, starting with comprehensive research to assess the feasibility of implementing similar strategies back home. He took particular interest in Sweden’s ongoing transition from chemical to organic fertilizers, advocating for Indonesia to adopt these more sustainable agricultural practices.
Reinforcing this, Prasetyo echoed President Joko Widodo’s call for increased multi-sector collaboration to create a more integrated national food ecosystem, spanning both production and distribution processes. In support of this integrated approach, Swedish lawmaker Adam Reuterskiöld shared insights into Sweden’s sustainable practices, which not only produce high-quality beef but also milk, fodder, and barley, demonstrating a holistic approach to agricultural sustainability.
