World food day 2025: Bank DBS Indonesia and partners “hand in hand for better foods and a better future” | Bahasa

Indonesia, 20 Oct 2025 - Around 638-720 million people worldwide still faced hunger in 2024, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report reveals. In Indonesia, although the prevalence of food insecurity declined from 2022 to 2023, 4.5 percent of the population still experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023. To mark World Food Day 2025 that takes “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” as its theme, Bank DBS Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to supporting national food security through a spirit of collaboration with multiple partners.

As part of its vision to be the Best Bank for a Better World, Bank DBS Indonesia believes that a sustainable food future can only be achieved through cross-sector collaboration between the financial sector, the government, businesses, communities, and the general public. Through various green financing initiatives, support for agritech startups, and social programmes held jointly with DBS Foundation, Bank DBS Indonesia plays an active role in building a resilient, inclusive, and competitive food system.

Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika said, “The theme of Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future reflects the importance of collaboration in creating fair and sustainable access to food for all. As a bank committed to ESG principles, we want to act as a catalyst in strengthening the food supply chain, improving the welfare of farmers, driving the green economy in the agricultural sector, and increasing equitable access to nutritious food. This is the tangible manifestation of our sustainability pillar, Impact Beyond Banking.”

In accordance with the global message for this year's World Food Day, Bank DBS Indonesia continues to promote cooperation, innovation, and sustainable financing, including through:

The FEAST programme (Flores Empowerment for Agricultural Sustainability and Transformation) held in collaboration with Yayasan Humanis dan Inovasi Sosial. The FEAST programme equips farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices, financial literacy, and nutritional knowledge. A total of 40 village champions have been trained to assist 1,600 smallholder farmers (50 percent of them women) in eight districts in Flores, NTT. They take part in 50 climate field school sessions and test climate-smart agriculture methods in demonstration farm plots. Additionally, the programme provides nutrition education for 4,000 farming families to improve their knowledge and nutritional status. The programme will be expanded to all districts in Flores within the next 2-3 years.

Green financing in the form of blended finance for Adena Coffee to nurture coffee farmers and increase coffee bean production in a sustainable manner, as well as to develop software to support compliance with the EUDR (European Deforestation Regulation). In addition, Adena Coffee will establish a Multipurpose Production and Training Centre by building new wet mill and fermentation facilities to train farmers in the proper application of wet processing and fermentation methods, ensuring consistent and high-quality yields; and conduct six capacity-building sessions for 500 small-scale coffee farmers in Gayo, Flores, Bali, and West Java.

The Food Rescue Warrior programme, held in collaboration with FoodCycle Indonesia and DBS Foundation. From January 2024 to September 2025, the programme saved 1.36 million kg of surplus food from 155 partner hotels, restaurants, and plantations. Of the total, more than 600,000 kg were edible food that were packaged into more than 3 million food packages for 128,000 recipients. The programme succeeded in reducing the food insecurity rate from 77 percent to 36 percent in 17 months, according to a FoodCycle survey of a sample of recipients. Additionally, more than 700,000 kg of food waste were processed into animal feed and compost fertiliser at the urban farm developed under this programme. Education on the circular food system was also actively provided for the community at the urban farm to raise awareness about sustainable food security.

Besides food security, food waste management is also very crucial for food sustainability.

Magalarva, a social impact company and a recipient of DBS Foundation Grant 2023, has successfully made a significant impact on food waste management over the past two years, with the food waste processing volume increasing to nearly 3,000 tonnes per year, double the amount of the previous year. This has also reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 9,000 tonnes.

Founder & CEO Magalarva Rendria Labde said, “Since partnering with DBS Foundation, we have been able to accelerate the transformation of our waste management system. We have now increased our food waste processing capacity by 66 percent, improved efficiency through waste sorting units and a new operational fleet, and opened up export opportunities to more countries. The impact is being felt by both the environment and the economy.”

With the spirit of Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future, Bank DBS Indonesia is committed to being a trusted partner in creating an impact for a better future, where every individual can enjoy sufficient, healthy, and sustainable food.

For more information about DBS Foundation, visit this page and Instagram @dbsfoundationid.

 

 

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About DBS Foundation

Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.

In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.

Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.

For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices, 1 Functional Office and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services that focus on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the community towards a sustainable future. 

PT Bank DBS Indonesia is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.