Minister of Culture Fadli Zon announced that Indonesia will submit tempeh (fermented soybean) for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list this year.

Speaking at a discussion on Indonesian culinary culture in Depok, West Java, on Saturday (March 15), Zon highlighted that food is a key cultural expression and part of ancestral traditions passed down through generations. According to a ministry press release on Sunday, he emphasized that agricultural and culinary practices, including rituals and ceremonies tied to crops like rice and corn, are integral to Indonesia’s heritage.

He also noted that traditional cuisine, such as rendang, which has 24 regional variations, and Bali’s subak irrigation system—already recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—reflect the nation’s rich culinary traditions.

During the discussion, Zon stressed the need for food diversification to achieve national food self-sufficiency within the next four to five years. He highlighted sorghum as a potential alternative crop to rice and wheat, advocating its development for food security.

Meanwhile, Depok Mayor Supian Suri shared the city’s plans for urban farming, including a seven-hectare conservation forest to support sustainable agriculture.

Source and Photo Cr.: Antara, Indonesian News Agency