New measurement tool empowers Indonesian farmers and retailers to reduce food waste

Context: Globally, around one third of total food production is lost or wasted. In 2022, approximately 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted worldwide, equating to about 19% of all food available to consumers.

Partners: FOLU, National Food Agency, National Planning and Development Ministry

Duration: 1 year (from September 2023 – September 2024), with additional follow up in the future

Location: Indonesia

Impact Achieved:

• Development of a national Food Loss and Waste Standard Calculation Method, adapted and locally contextualized from the globally recognised FLW Protocol.

• Training sessions conducted for the National Food Agency, involving representatives from 15 provinces, and for retailers in collaboration with Indonesia's Retailers Association, to implement this method.

• Allow smallholder farmers and retailers to pinpoint where food loss and waste are occurring, providing a clear path for identifying and implementing solutions.

• Allow field data collection to calculate and compare against food loss and waste targets and indicators in the National Mid-term Development Plan.

Description:

FOLU Indonesia (locally known as Koalisi Sistem Pangan Lestari/KSPL), supported by the National Food Agency and the National Planning and Development Ministry, has developed a national Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Standard Calculation Method. This tool, adapted and locally contextualized from the globally recognized FLW Protocol, enables independent calculation of food loss and waste, particularly for smallholder farmers and retailers. It will play a critical role in supporting the implementation of the forthcoming national regulation on FLW. To implement this method, FOLU Indonesia has held a training session for the National Food Agency, with representatives from 15 provinces across the country. Similar training for retailers was conducted in collaboration with Indonesia's Retailers Association during National Retail Day last November. These efforts are aimed at helping provinces develop guidelines and regulations on FLW, and ensuring retailers can widely apply these practices. We now have strong government backing, along with the forthcoming national presidential regulation on FLW, and a measurement protocol that will allow smallholder farmers and retailers to start identifying where FLW is occurring. This will enable us to find solutions and implement them effectively. Additionally, the Indonesian government, through the National Food Agency, is in the process of developing indicators for the RPJMN (National Mid-term Development Plan) on FLW. The FLW Standard Calculation Method will be used in gathering field data to calculate these indicators.

The Food Systems Call to Action is a global initiative that urges non-state actors and governments to take immediate steps to transform food systems by 2030. It highlights the urgent need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable approaches that support food security, protect nature, and address climate change. Through targeted actions and principles, the Call to Action emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—ensuring that farmers, frontline workers, Indigenous communities, and other key players are at the forefront of decision-making and implementation.