SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme: Bridging traditional knowledge and modern nutrition
©FAO/ Hi Visinema
In the remote islands of rural Indonesia, the Rote Ndao community faces significant nutritional challenges. The rise of processed foods and shifting sociocultural norms have led to a decline in traditional diets, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition and obesity. In response, Rahsa Nusantara is harnessing indigenous knowledge to promote sustainable nutrition. As one of eleven startups supported by FAO’s SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, this enterprise is producing nutrient-rich products from indigenous plants while creating sustainable livelihoods for local farming communities.
The SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, which ran from 2022-2024, provided assistance for innovative startups that are transforming agrifood systems by enhancing environmental protection and improving the lives of marginalized members of their community. Participating enterprises received tailored mentoring, tools to measure and amplify their impact and small grants, to enable them to scale up their business while enhancing their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Programme was implemented with the technical support of SEED.
Addressing nutritional challenges through indigenous solutions
Rahsa Nusantara’s mission is to make traditional nutritional diets more accessible to all, in particular those in urban areas. It produces tisanes and beverages from indigenous plants, designed as part of healthy lifestyle to reduce minor to severe illnesses such as NCDs. The enterprise operates a circular production system, recycling organic waste into fertilizers and fodders and sourcing recyclable packaging. They also employ marginalized women in urban areas.
The SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme has empowered the enterprise to expand its impacts in several areas:
Product development
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© Rahsa Nusantara
FAO grant funding enabled Rahsa Nusantara to develop a specialized herbal and nutritional drink derived from local moringa leaves—a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein. Specifically created for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the product addresses critical nutritional needs—making essential nutrition accessible to those who need it most. Before its launch on the market, the product underwent rigorous internal and external testing to secure food safety certifications and establish robust quality control systems. Comprehensive market research informed both the product formulation and packaging design, while new distribution channels and inventory systems were established to ensure reliable availability.
Farmer training and community engagement
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© Rahsa Nusantara
With the Programme’s support, Rahsa Nusantara delivered training to over 100 farmers on the harvesting of Moringa leaves and post-harvest processing practices, ensuring sustainability and quality throughout the supply chain. It also provided financial management training – covering topics such as financial planning, cost management and record keeping, aiming to empower suppliers to make informed financial decisions and ensure the sustainability of their farm.
The Programme's impact extended beyond the supply chain, supporting extensive educational activities that engaged over 600 community members through professional-led seminars, on maternal and child nutrition across the Rote Ndao, Bandung, Jakarta, and Tangsel communities. These activities included distributing educational books about local nutritious food, online and in-person discussions with doctors, lactation consultants and nutritionists and a healthy cooking workshop.
Sustainable infrastructure
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© Rahsa Nusantara
The FAO grant enabled the installation of a reverse osmosis system, providing clean water essential to Rahsa Nusantara’s production while advancing internal sustainable water management practices. Village operators from Lekunik and Desa Oeleka also received specialized training in water conservation, quality monitoring, and environmental impact management—resulting in measurable improvements in water quality and resource efficiency throughout the community.
SDG Impact
The SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme’s support has contributed to multiple sustainable development goals:
 | The new moringa leaf product delivers targeted nutritional benefits to vulnerable populations, especially pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. |
 | Women are being empowered through training and employment throughout the agrifood value chain. |
 | The enterprise is committed to using eco-friendly product packaging and complements this with internal and community education on sustainable consumption practices. |
 | The cultivation by farmers of native plants like moringa promotes biodiversity while creating economic opportunities that protect natural habitats. |
Looking forward
The SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme has equipped Rahsa Nusantara with both financial resources and impact monitoring tools to track their social, economic, and environmental contributions. This integrated approach ensures that business growth remains aligned with the SDGs.
Reflecting on their participation in the FAO SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, Hatta Kresna, CEO and Founder of Rahsa Nusanata stated: "Our journey with the FAO SDG Accelerator Programme has deepened our commitment to empower communities and make nutritious food accessible to every family. I am dedicated to forging lasting partnerships and driving sustainable innovations that transform lives. Every challenge has become a catalyst for growth, fueling our passion to build a resilient and inclusive agrifood system for all."
Rahsa Nusantara’s experience demonstrates how traditional knowledge combined with modern entrepreneurship can contribute sustainable and healthy agrifood systems. By empowering women, promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy diets, the enterprise advances both social equity and environmental stewardship.
