Kearifan Lokal dalam Diversifikasi Pangan

Abstract

Beras adalah komoditi yang memperoleh perhatian besar dari Kementerian Pertanian. Sudah saatnya kita kembali memperhatikan pangan-pangan potensial seperti umbiumbian
yang dapat menjadi substitusi beras, misalnya “rasi” yang terbuat dari singkong. Dengan melalui proses pemarutan, pemerasan, penggilingan, dan penjemuran, makadihasilkan semacam tepung singkong kasar berbentuk granule yang disebut “rasi”. Masyarakat kampung Cireundeu-Cimahi Jawa Barat, dengan tanpa memperhatikan segala macam himbauan tentang diversifikasi pangan, ternyata telah menerapkan pola pangan nonberas sejak tahun 1924. Masyarakat Cireundeu merasa cocok makan “rasi” karena kesesuaian dengan cara hidup mereka. Dengan fluktuasi produksi beras yang dialami Indonesia, maka penggalakan diversifikasi pangan harus terus dilakukan. Diharapkan konsumsi beras dapat dikurangi di masa mendatang. Diversifikasi terkait dengan kesejahteraan seseorang. Masyarakat miskin sulit menerapkan diversifikasi menu karena lauk-pauk (sumber protein) harganya mahal, jadi bagi mereka makan nasi adalah upaya memenuhi kebutuhan fisiologis tanpa merasa perlu memperhatikan keseimbangan gizi.

Rice has become the most concerned commodity by the Ministry of Agriculture. However, it is now the time to consider other potential foods as sources of carbohydrate, such as many kinds of tubers (cassava, sweet potato, sago, and taro). Some communities have a habit to eat “rasi”, made of cassava, that has traditionally been a staple food among Cirendeu people who live in Cimahi, West Java. The people of Cirendeu have been practicing food diversification by consuming non-rice foods since 1924. They consider eating “rasi” is better than eating rice because “rasi” fits with the way of their life. As rice production in Indonesia is still fluctuating, diversification should be campaigned again and again. It is hoped that rice consumption then can be reduced in the near future. Diversification is related to people welfare. Poor people have difficulties to diversify their menu because side dishes (which contain protein) are expensive, that’s why eating rice is the only way to satisfy their physiological need without considering nutrition balance.