MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Food security remains a critical issue in Indonesia’s development efforts. In 2022, Indonesia ranked 69 out of 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), showing that the country still faces serious challenges in ensuring stable access to nutritious food. President of ‘Aisyiyah Salmah Orbayinah emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue.
“Indonesia continues to struggle with food security due to several factors. These include limited farmland, climate change, decreasing productivity, a declining number of farmers with little regeneration, lack of recognition for women farmers, low farmer welfare, import dependence, limited agricultural technology, and food quality concerns,” mentioned Salmah in a press conference commemorating the 108th anniversary of ‘Aisyiyah at the ‘Aisyiyah headquarters, Yogyakarta, on Monday, May 19.
Food security is already a top priority in the 2025–2029 Medium-Term National Development Plan. It is included in the President’s second mission (Asta Cita), which aims to strengthen national security and independence through self-reliance in food, energy, and water, as well as in Islamic, digital, green, and blue economies. Food self-sufficiency is listed as the first of 17 priority programs and is also part of eight quick-result initiatives.
As a women’s organization, ‘Aisyiyah has focused on food security, recognizing the important role women play in achieving it. Salmah pointed to the organization’s national programs, outlined during its 48th Congress in Surakarta, which include initiatives in economy and employment aimed at strengthening food systems.
“These programs involve supporting women-led food enterprises (BUEKA), building partnerships with stakeholders in the food sector, and expanding our Living Granary Movement (GLHA). We want these initiatives to become part of the identity of every ‘Aisyiyah household,” said Salmah.
To reflect this commitment, ‘Aisyiyah adopted the theme “Strengthening Food Security through Qaryah Thayyibah for National Resilience” for this year’s anniversary. Salmah explained that the Qaryah Thayyibah movement, which means “a good or thriving village,” is part of ‘Aisyiyah’s national effort to build progressive rural communities that are just, prosperous, and dignified.
The movement focuses on a wide range of areas, including food, economic empowerment, health, education, religion, social welfare, law, women’s leadership, political awareness, and the environment. Food security is a key aspect of this vision.
One of the main initiatives under Qaryah Thayyibah is the Living Granary Movement, which encourages individuals and groups to make use of home gardens or other available land to grow crops, raise livestock, or farm fish. The goal is to ensure access to nutritious food and improve household income.
“This movement has already expanded to 100 districts and cities across the country,” said Salmah.
Through these efforts, ‘Aisyiyah continues to support national food security goals by empowering women and local communities to take an active role in sustainable food production.
