Leveraging Local, Non-Rice Foods for Food Security, Dr. Khaeriyah Darwis Wins Best Presenter at Simpul Pangan Nusantara 2026

MAKASSAR – Dr. Khaeriyah Darwis, S.P., M.Si., a lecturer from the Agribusiness Department at the Muhammadiyah University of Makassar (Unismuh), has been awarded the "Best Presenter" award at the Sustainable Food Systems Conference (KISPB), titled Simpul Pangan Nusantara 2026. The event took place at the UNHAS Hotel and Convention in Makassar on October 7, 2026.

The award was presented for her presentation on the scientific paper titled "Non-Rice Local Food, Consumption Diversification, and Nutritional Resilience in South Sulawesi: A Scoping Review." The paper highlights the importance of non-rice local food as part of a strategy to diversify consumption and strengthen food security, while also meeting the nutritional needs of the population.

The Sulawesi Selatan series of the Simpul Pangan Nusantara 2026 conference was organized by ICRAF Indonesia through the Land4Lives program. The event involved government agencies, universities, and various stakeholders in development, with support from Global Affairs Canada. The forum served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and scientific ideas on developing sustainable food systems.

Non-Rice Local Food as an Alternative for Strengthening Food Security

Through her research, Dr. Khaeriyah Darwis highlighted that food security is not only about the availability of food, but also about the diversity of food sources that are accessible and consumed by the community. Dependence on a single staple food can limit consumption choices, especially when communities face price fluctuations, supply disruptions, declining purchasing power, or the impact of climate change.

In the context of South Sulawesi, the development of non-rice local food is an important issue to further study. The diversity of food sources can open up opportunities for communities to utilize the available food resources in their region and expand choices to meet daily nutritional needs.

The research also explores the concept of nutritional resilience, which refers to the ability of individuals and communities to maintain nutritional needs when facing various pressures. This concept emphasizes the importance of food systems that not only provide food, but also support the sustainable access of communities to diverse and nutritious food.

According to the research framework, consumption diversification requires support from various aspects, including the availability of local food, nutritional value, affordability, consumption habits, and the sustainability of production and utilization. Therefore, the development of local food should not only focus on the availability of food, but also consider the acceptance of the community and sustainable opportunities for utilization.

Academic Achievements and Strengthening Agricultural Research in Agribusiness

This "Best Presenter" award is an academic achievement that strengthens the contribution of lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture at Unismuh Makassar in a scientific forum discussing strategic issues in food development. This achievement also demonstrates the relevance of agribusiness studies in understanding the relationship between local food resources, consumption patterns, nutritional needs, and food security.

Research on non-rice local food is expected to provide a basis for further studies, especially in formulating food diversification strategies that are appropriate for regional characteristics and community needs. Strengthening research in this area can also support the development of inclusive agribusiness, increase the added value of local commodities, and expand the utilization of regional food resources.

For the Faculty of Agriculture at Unismuh Makassar, this achievement is a motivation to continue strengthening research culture, scientific publication, and academic collaboration. The contribution of lecturers through relevant research that meets community needs is expected not only to enrich the knowledge, but also to provide input for efforts in agricultural development and strengthening national food security.

Through the development of research and innovation that is oriented towards local potential, the Faculty of Agriculture at Unismuh Makassar continues to encourage the role of universities in producing beneficial knowledge for communities, regional development, and the sustainability of the Indonesian food system.