The PGDM-International Business Department of Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini organized an enriching international guest session on 15th December 2025 for the students of batch 2025-27. The session was delivered by Dr. Cungki Kusdarjito, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Agriculture, Janabadra University, Indonesia.
Dr. Kusdarjito began by highlighting the significance of food inflation in maintaining macroeconomic stability and ensuring household welfare, especially in developing nations like Indonesia. He elaborated on the crucial difference between supply chain and value chain frameworks, emphasizing that value chain structure—rather than just physical distribution—fundamentally influences price movements and inflation trends.
The session explored real-world applications by examining various food commodities within the Indonesian market context. Dr. Kusdarjito demonstrated how rice, chili, shallot, and cooking oil each exhibit distinct value chain patterns, spanning from fresh produce to processed items. He detailed the specific challenges: rice processing involves complex milling operations, fresh commodities like chili and shallot confront spoilage and seasonal fluctuations, whereas cooking oil undergoes extensive industrial processing stages.
Dr. Kusdarjito identified key obstacles such as information gaps between farmers and traders, insufficient storage facilities, and fragmented agricultural markets. He recommended actionable solutions including organizing smallholder farmers into cohesive value chains, enhancing cold storage capabilities, and adopting technology-enabled price transparency systems.
Key Takeaways:
- Food inflation significantly impacts macroeconomic stability and household well-being in emerging economies.
- Value chain architecture drives price behavior beyond mere logistics considerations.
- Each food commodity demands tailored management strategies aligned with its unique chain structure.
- Long-term structural reforms outperform short-term interventions in controlling food inflation.
The session concluded with sincere gratitude to Dr. Cungki Kusdarjito for his valuable contributions. Students acquired meaningful insights into agribusiness value chain management and its application in tackling food inflation challenges.