USSEC Indonesia, in collaboration with the Indonesian Tempe Forum (ITF) and food technology faculty from Jambi University,successfully conducted a one-day seminar called “Tempe & Health” in Jambi, Indonesia on May 10.  The objective of the event was to provide updates on the health benefit of tempe and other soyfoodproducts as well as to spread the word about the upcoming National Tempe Day.  110 lecturers, college students, local government representatives and tempe and tofu producers participated in this seminar.

ITF chairmanMade Astawan talked about the health benefits of soybeans and their derivative products, providing scientific facts on the benefit of soyfood consumption and dispelling mythsand misinformation related to negative health effects of soyfood consumption.  Dady Maskar, USSEC’s Technical Manager for the soyfood program, promoted tempe as a gift from Indonesia to the world, and talked about ITF activities surrounding National Tempe Day on June 6th.  Dr. Sahrial, dean of faculty of agricultural technology at Jambi University, discussed existing local soyfood products in Jambi and the potential for the use of soy in this region.
The afternoon session focused ondiscussion related to the importance of promoting tempe consumption and the possibility of implementing ITF Activities in Jambi.  Tempe is less popular in Jambi and the surrounding area compared to other food products, especially those of seafood origin.  Participants and tempe stakeholders agreed that more effort needs to be put into programs to promote tempe consumption in Jambi, especially considering the nutritonal value and health benefit potential of tempe.  Program activities to improve the tempe production process targeted at tempe producers as well as a program promoting tempe consumption were proposed.  Dean Sahrial suggestedadapting the concept developed in Bogor to develop a Rumah Tempe Indonesia in Jambi.
A visit to KOPTI Jambi, the production center of tempe and tofu, was held after the seminar.