Now Indonesia continues to import wheat. Data from the Indonesian Flour Producers Association (Aptindo) indicated that its nominal value increased by 6%. Wheat imports in 2012 could reach 6.6 million tons. While in 2011 “only” 6.2 million tones. It is ironic. Why? Because the Indonesian archipelago has various local food products.
Many types of crops are growing in rural areas. There are uwi, ganyong, gembili, suwek, rondo sluku, punuk banteng, garut, kimpul, etc. All of these natural treats can be substitutes for wheat flour. It was explained by Mr. Kemin on Sunday (27/5). He is the chairman of the Mekarsari Self-Help Farmers Group in Gegunung Village, Sendangsari, Pengasih, Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta.
I visited there together with dozens of members of FOKAL (Forum for Families and Children who Love the Environment) started by Ning Raswani. She is one of the Inspiring Women of Nova who won the 2012 Women and the Environment award. Since the early 2000s, this town has been known as the Center for Tubers and Local Foods.
Surprisingly, their products were marketed not only in Central Java and Yogyakarta. Furthermore, they were also venturing into Jakarta, Bogor, Semarang, Surabaya and other big cities. Examples of their products are garut chips, sweet potato/purple sweet potato flour, and palm sugar crystals. They are all natural, healthy and fairly inexpensive.
Mr. Kemin told me about his fight. At first, the attempt to replant the bulbs in the garden was underestimated. But little by little many people come to support. It included the local village government. Drawing his attention was to reflect on the beloved ancestors.
“Why were our grandparents’ teeth still intact? Even when they were dead and buried? The reason is because most of them ate a lot of healthy food. Also, nature and soil have not been polluted by toxic chemicals like in today,” he said.
Suitable for Indonesian belly
Mutiara Nugraheni justified this simple thesis. The student of the S-3 Program at UGM Yogyakarta College of Food Sciences in Agricultural Technology said that tubers are more suitable for the belly of Indonesians. While wheat is less appropriate. The reason is because it contained gluten. In fact, this substance is necessary for Westerners who have a dynamic lifestyle. However, if the Indonesian eats too much wheat, it causes the children to become hyperactive/autistic.
In addition, this professor from the State University of Yogyakarta (UNY) explored the benefits of tubers in terms of physical health. For those who suffer from ulcers, take pati garut or the essence. Its flour can be processed into cakes and bread. For people with diabetes, the consumption of white rice can be replaced by purple uwi.
Also, cancer can be cured by eating kleci potatoes. Its Latin name is Coleus Tuberosus. These tubers must be boiled with their skin. According to research in the lab, the cuticle layer contains antioxidants, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), which can actually tame the tumor. These important findings have been published in three major journals: The International Food Research Journal, the African Journal of Food Science, and the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research (2012).
In addition, in terms of treatment, tuber crops are also much easier. It is especially compared to rice or wheat. Both floors are water intake. While the tubers can survive in the dry season. They experienced a period of latency or rest for a time. However, once the rainy season arrives, they can quickly grow back and be ready to be harvested.
Agus Purwanto, one of the young men from the village also described an interesting fact. Most plants provide tubers/roots, stems, and leaves for humans. Garut tubers can stop diarrhea because they are rich in fiber. Unusually, taro/talas stems are also beneficial. According to the Indian researchers who visited there, if we boil and eat taro stems, that can lower cholesterol levels in our body. Furthermore, the new leaves of the bamboo tree can also be made into delicious chips.
In fact, if we creatively cultivate our local potential, this nation will not go hungry. Let’s promote the consumption of tubers in our respective environments. It can meet our daily needs as well as preserve the natural heritage for future generation. Therefore, our grandchildren can still eat healthy food and enjoy the beauty of nature. (T. Nugroho Angkasa S.Pd, English teacher at Angon Natural School, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
