Food Security through the lens of ESG

Food security sits at the intersection of all three ESG pillars of environment, social, and governance. In Central Lombok, where tourism is rapidly expanding, this connection is particularly evident. The region holds enormous development potential, yet faces alarming challenges: in 2025, more than 9,400 cases of child malnutrition were recorded, including in the fast-growing central-south tourism zone.

For businesses and investors, this is both a responsibility and an opportunity. By embedding food security into ESG-aligned strategies, companies can contribute to healthier, more resilient communities while strengthening their social license to operate.

Selo Footprints with the support of Catalyst Fund Management & Selo Group is delivering the initiatives that tie ESG with food security include:

Waste Collection & Sanitation
Providing waste management for an elementary school of 105 students, we are trying to reduce disease vectors, improve health, and support better nutrient absorption among children.

Access to Nutritious and Affordable Food Education
Through Posyandu Syeruu, providing access to healthy meals for vulnerable families, especially mothers and children. Championing nutrition, clean living, and homegrown gardens for long-term wellbeing. We have reached 2 villages, Jabon and Juwet, providing support for over 50 mothers with home gardens and discounted daily needs.

Regenerative Agroforestry
Restoring degraded lands with fruit trees and perennial crops boosts food diversity, creates income streams, and sequesters carbon—addressing both ecological and social dimensions. In South Lombok, this is particularly urgent as deforestation for monoculture corn farming has stripped state forests of their ability to sustain food systems. We provided:

• Thriving demo plots regenerating forests, enriching soil, and empowering local women farmers in collaboration with Australian Volunteer Program experts to enhance soil health and expand regenerative practices.
• Women-led nursery & waste hub producing compost and seedlings by turning waste into opportunity and resilience.

Cultural & Agro-Tourism Development
Leveraging tourism to celebrate local traditions and regenerative farming practices diversifies livelihoods while easing pressure on unsustainable farming.

Ultimately, ESG is not just about compliance or branding. It is about creating shared value—ensuring that as businesses thrive, the communities around them also grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient. A company can only sustain long-term success when it invests in the nourishment, empowerment, and resilience of the people and ecosystems it depends on.

For those willing to join the journey, go to this link: https://wra.org.au/2402lombokforestry/

Together, we’re building a greener, stronger, more sustainable Lombok.

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