UPNVJ Public Relations – Veteran National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ) launched an international book and held a seminar entitled “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia: Towards Climate Resilience and Digitalization” at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Auditorium, Thursday (20/2/2026). This activity is part of a cross-country academic collaboration in the ASEAN region to respond to the challenges of sustainable agriculture and food security amidst the climate crisis and digital transformation. The book was edited by Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm, Prof. Raja Rasiah, and Nur Annizah Ishak as an output of the 2023 international conference involving 11 ASEAN universities.

This book launch addresses a fundamental question: how can Asia, particularly Indonesia, strengthen food systems that are both resilient to climate change and adaptable to digitalization? This forum brings together academics, policymakers, and practitioners to formulate strategies based on research and regional collaboration.
Chancellor: Food Security is a Fundamental Pillar of Development

Chancellor: Food Security is a Fundamental Pillar of Development
In his remarks, UPNVJ Chancellor Prof. Anter Venus said that Indonesia is facing challenges similar to those of the 1970s, namely rapid population growth ahead of the 2045 demographic bonus. However, the current situation is exacerbated by the pressures of climate change, environmental degradation, and land conversion.

" Sustainable agriculture is therefore not merely an option, but an urgent necessity ," emphasized Prof. Venus.

He emphasized that food security is a fundamental pillar of national development. Through this book, UPNVJ, in collaboration with the Asia-Europe Institute and researchers from various ASEAN universities, presents a comprehensive study of Indonesian agricultural development since 1970, as well as the importance of sustainability and digitalization in strengthening the food system.

Prof. Venus also expressed pride in UPNVJ's role as the organizer of the international conference that gave birth to this publication, which is the first volume of four planned books.

Policy Highlights: Transforming the National Food System
The international seminar featured Leonardo Adypurama, also known as Teguh Sambodo, SP, MS, Ph.D., Deputy for Food, Natural Resources, and Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, as the keynote speaker. In his presentation, he highlighted the global trend of food production, which is projected to increase 14% within a decade, while greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector are also expected to increase 6% by 2034.

He emphasized that without policy intervention, the impacts of climate change could result in losses of up to IDR 544 trillion. Furthermore, the hidden costs of Indonesia's food system are estimated to reach 28.5–45.4% of GDP in 2023. According to him, food system transformation must be ecoregion-based with an integrated land-sea approach, including optimizing aquatic foods such as fish, shrimp, and seaweed. This concept aligns with the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 and the policy direction of the 2025–2045 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJPN).

"Food security is not just about production, but also about fair, efficient, and equitable distribution," he said.
He also emphasized the importance of the Food, Energy, Water Nexus approach to improve efficiency, governance, and cross-sector synergy in supporting national resilience.

Academic and Economic Perspectives
This seminar also presented Prof. Raja Rasiah, Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Institute, and Dr. Fadhil Hasan, senior economist at INDEF and lecturer at UPNVJ, with moderator Fachru Novian, Ph.D., a lecturer at UPNVJ.

In the discussion, the speakers highlighted the importance of technological innovation, agricultural digitalization, and strengthening farmer governance and institutions as the foundation for an inclusive, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system.

This activity provides a strategic dialogue space between academics, government, and practitioners to formulate the direction of Asian agricultural development that is adaptive to climate change and digital transformation.

Through the launch of this book and international seminar, UPNVJ once again demonstrates its strategic role as a development university that actively contributes to responding to national and regional challenges through research, international collaboration, and strengthening science-based policies.