Farmers’ perceptions towards local food in Pandeglang Regency

Abstract

Consumption of corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes is closely related to people’s perceptions of local non-rice food. This study was conducted to determine farmers’ perceptions of local food corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes and to explore the obstacles faced in realizing food diversification. The study was conducted from February to April 2021 in Pandeglang Regency, Banten, which is the center of corn, cassava and sweet potato plants. The research method used a survey method to 270 respondents who were selected purposively. Data were analyzed descriptively by making tabulations. The results of the study indicate that the perception of farmers on local food seen from the perception of relative profit is classified as moderate, based on complexity is classified as very low, based on suitability and easy to observe is classified as very high. The obstacles faced by farmers in realizing local food diversification were the availability of raw materials for sweet potato, cassava and corn which is still very volatile because it depends on the cropping pattern and harvest season, cannot be planted continuously in one year because it is vulnerable to pests, the price fluctuating, there is no uniformity of type or variety and quality, and requires storage space for the harvest.