Food security systems in rural communities: A qualitative study

Abstract

Indonesia is rich in natural resources, but the problem of food insecurity is still a significant concern. However, few studies still examine the relationship of socio dynamics in contributing to local ecosystems to create food security. In this study, we discuss how social dynamics contribute to normative structures, community habits, and livelihoods to meet the living needs of rural communities in creating household food security and how they try to deal with worsening food insecurity through the local wisdom of rural communities. The research methodology is participatory qualitative, while data collection is through a Discussion Group Forum (FGD) and in-depth interviews with rural communities. Fifteen villages contributed to this study, interviewing 14 villagers individually, and the rest were grouped in FGDs based on livelihood categories and equal access to forest and coastal areas. Interview notes and transcription of citations were analyzed using the Thematic Framework Analysis (TFA). The study results illustrate that the village food system is vulnerable to human and natural capital. An adaptation of rural communities will experience food security difficulties when ecosystems do not provide sufficient protection due to a fluctuating climate, crop failure, and loss of household labor due to travel and health emergencies. In addition, food security is created through the dynamics of a well-maintained environment and rural local wisdom, which facilitates broad access to food provided by nature, agricultural land, marine resources, environmental knowledge, community relations, and labor. Our findings highlight the need for interventions that promote environmental conservation goals and introduce social structures that support food security.

Model Testing and Contribution of Antecedent Variable to Absolute Poverty: Low Income Family Perspective in Indonesia

“…Therefore, the two theories that form the basis of this research, namely the Lewin Model [27,28] and Human Capital Theory [46] as well as inspiration from the cultural view of poverty [47] are also the development of research results in South Sulawesi. These important findings include the perception and behavior patterns of low-income family members in South Sulawesi, such as short-term vision, uncontrolled consumption, quality friendship, and religious-based family management [7]. The perception pattern of short-term vision and uncontrolled consumption behavior as a community habit is suspected to be one of the causes of poverty.…”

“…The perception pattern of short-term vision and uncontrolled consumption behavior as a community habit is suspected to be one of the causes of poverty. At the same time, religious-based family management and friendship quality encourage the resilience of the poor in South Sulawesi [7].…”

“…Some research on poverty looks at the problem from a macro perspective so that all countries always look at economic growth. The measure of prosperity is seen from how the country controls the economy with the assumption of growth [4][5][6][7].…”

“…Another view states that poverty occurs due to geographical factors [7], the existence of rural, urban, and third-world poverty, and others [12]. In addition, there is also sudden poverty due to natural disasters and the like, also known as the poverty cycle theory [19].…”

Role of Agriculture on Rural Household Food Security: A Systematic Review from Indonesia

“…This phenomenon might happen because rural areas rely on agricultural and livestock harvests for food. In the meantime, urban communities obtain food supplies from markets [50]. Cultural factors should also be considered when assessing food security in rural areas.…”