UGM prioritises sustainable food purchasing to support local producers and environmental conservation.
Sustainable food purchasing is a critical aspect of advancing food security and environmental sustainability. It focuses on prioritizing the procurement of products from local and sustainable sources, which contributes to the conservation of genetic diversity in agriculture.
Policies
At UGM, sustainability in food procurement is reinforced through various institutional policies, including Rector’s Regulation Number 8 Year 2020, Rector’s Regulation Number 12 Year 2022, and the revised Rector’s Regulation Number 12 Year 2024. These regulations emphasize the importance of sourcing food and agricultural products that support environmental sustainability and the preservation of genetic diversity. Moreover, Circular Letter Number 1797 Year 2020 strengthens the implementation of these guidelines by ensuring that procurement processes align with sustainability goals and local agricultural development. By adhering to these regulations, UGM actively supports the preservation of biodiversity while promoting sustainable farming practices. This commitment not only benefits the university but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving sustainable food systems and equitable sharing of agricultural resources.
Practices
Local and good quality plants must be preserved in order to maintain the quality of food sources at UGM and the local community. Research on the preservation of genes is pertinent and currently ongoing at the Genetic Bank at the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) UGM. The Genetic Bank gathers genetic resources from various regions, from within Indonesia and abroad. This research aims not only to expand genetic diversity but also to preserve ex-situ plant genetic resources to prevent genetic erosion. These plants are tested at PIAT before they are distributed to local farmers to be propagated. Through this collaboration, UGM contributes to maintaining the quality of food plants and thus, secure the food quality of the local community.
The PIAT garden products, especially vegetables, are usually sold at Pasar Krempyeng Boge (Rebo Wage), a collaborative market held at the UGM Academic Hospital every Wednesday. The market is a collaboration to commercialize the products from PIAT and at the same time support local small businesses and the Women Farmers’ Groups. Through collaborations with local agricultural and micro-enterprise sectors, RSA UGM demonstrates how collective efforts can create impactful, sustainable solutions for both the environment and society.
UGM is committed to purchase of products from local, sustainable sources. During the month of Ramadan, RUMAH ZIS UGM initiates the Warung Mitra Binaan program. RUMAH ZIS distributes essential food staples (sembako) to zakat recipients which are sourced from local partner shops (warung). This program currently works together with 17 local shops and plans for expansion. The objective is to improve the efficiency of zakat distribution while simultaneously boosting local economies by supporting small businesses. By sourcing food products from these warungs, RUMAH ZIS UGM promotes the sustainability of local businesses, ensuring that both zakat recipients and local shop owners are supported.
References: