Mapping Food Security in Indonesia: Geographic Clusters and Regional Disparities

BackgroundA diet that includes a variety of foods provides all the essential nutrients needed to meet nutritional requirements. However, the relationship between dietary diversity and adequate micronutrient intake has not been consistently established across various cultural contexts. Notably, no studies have successfully validated a link between dietary diversity scores and nutrient adequacy in Ethiopia. Therefore, we aimed to validate food variety and dietary diversity scores as proxy indicators of nutrient adequacy among pregnant women in Ethiopia.Materials and methodsA multi-stage systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants from March 1 to March 30, 2024. The multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall method, incorporating the standard nine food groups, was employed to estimate the dietary diversity score of pregnant women. The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) was calculated based on the mean adequacy ratio of various micronutrients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal cutoffs for dietary diversity and food variety scores by balancing sensitivity and specificity..ResultsMDD-W exhibited a positive correlation (ρ = 0.159, 95% CI: 0.065–0.250) (p = 0.001) and demonstrated strong predictive ability (AUC = 0.839, 95% CI: 0.80–0.88; p value = 0.001) for the mean adequacy ratio in assessing micronutrient adequacy. The sensitivity and specificity of the MDD-W at the standard cutoff of ≥5 food groups were found to be 69.9 and 5.3%, respectively. Additionally, the optimal cutoff points for dietary diversity and food variety scores in predicting micronutrient adequacy were determined to be 3.42 and 4.67, respectively. The food variety indicator based on nine food groups showed a negative correlation (ρ = −0.402, 95% CI: −0.137-0.053) (p > 0.05) and remained a poor predictor (AUC = 0.709, 95% CI: 3.49 to 4.03) of the mean adequacy ratio.ConclusionMDD-W was positively correlated with micronutrient intake adequacy and demonstrated good predictive ability. At the standard cutoff of ≥5 food groups, its sensitivity and specificity were 69.9 and 5.3%, respectively. However, the findings differed from those of other studies, and discrepancies with FAO recommendations regarding the cutoff values and performance levels of MDD-W were observed, indicating a need for further investigation.

Dietary diversity and food variety scores and their association with nutrition and health status of Indian children and adolescents: A multicenter study

Poverty and food security are two closely interrelated global issues and are top priorities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, particularly SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (no hunger). This study aims to analyze the spatial correlation between poverty and food security in Central Java in the 2023–2024 period. The research method used is a quantitative descriptive approach with spatial analysis using Moran's I and Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA). Secondary data were obtained from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the National Food Agency, and administrative maps in shapefile form. The analysis was conducted using GeoDa software, by examining univariate and bivariate spatial autocorrelation patterns, as well as mapping High-High, Low-Low, High-Low, and Low-High clusters. The results show that the distribution of poverty and food security indices in Central Java is not random, but rather forms a clustered pattern. Bivariate analysis shows a negative spatial correlation, where areas with high poverty rates tend to be associated with low food security. The LISA Bivariate Map identifies clusters of High-High areas concentrated in the southern and coastal regions, while urban areas tend to be in the Low-Low category with relatively better socio-economic conditions. The implication of these findings is the importance of spatially based development policies that integrate poverty alleviation programs with improving food security. Therefore, spatially integrated policy interventions are crucial. Local governments are recommended to prioritize targeted programs in High–High areas, including improving rural food logistics and distribution infrastructure, expanding community-based microfinance and agricultural innovation programs.

Food Security in Indonesia: Current Challenges and the Long-Run Outlook

Food Security in Indonesia: Current Challenges and the Long-Run Outlook

<p>This research is motivated by the mismatch between potential and real conditions in Indonesia, resulting in food security problems. As an archipelagic, maritime, tropical, and agricultural country, Indonesia has abundant natural resource potential. Indonesia is one of the largest rice-producing countries in the world. However, Indonesia's food security condition is still low. It is proven by Indonesia's food security index, which is still below the global and Asia-Pacific averages. This research aims to analyze the influence of Rice Production, Poverty, and Prevalence of undernourishment variables on food security in Indonesia. This type of research is descriptive quantitative, using secondary data in the form of panel data for 2018-2022. The analytical method used in this research is panel data regression analysis. The results of this research show that the variables of rice production, poverty, and prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) together significantly affect food security in Indonesia. Partially, the rice production variable has a positive and insignificant effect on food security in Indonesia. The poverty variable negatively and significantly affects food security in Indonesia. The prevalence of the undernourishment variable has a positive and significant effect on food security in Indonesia.</p>

<p class="AbstractEnglish">Until 2021, Indonesia has succeeded in reducing the prevalence rate of the population with moderate or severe food insecurity. But on the other hand, Indonesia's Global Food Security Index (GFSI) score which has declined in the last three years shows that Indonesia's food security is getting weaker in various aspects. The condition of food security that begins to weaken can trigger food insecurity. Food insecurity that can have an impact on health, nutrition and health system problems is a national health problem that needs attention. Therefore, this study aims to examine the level of household food insecurity and the variables that influence it. This study uses The National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) March 2021 data which was analyzed using partial proportional odds model (PPOM) ordinal logistics regression method. In general, the results show that variables area of residence, gender, age, education, business field, number of household members, residence ownership status, and per capita expenditure affect the level of household food insecurity in Indonesia in 2021.</p><p class="AbstractEnglish"><strong>Keywords</strong><strong>: </strong>food insecurity; ordinal logistic regression; PPOM</p>

Food security presents a complex challenge that spans multiple sectors and levels, involving diverse stakeholders. Such a challenge necessitates collaborative efforts and the creation of shared value among participants. Through the lens of service-dominant logic (S-D logic), food security can be redefined to achieve a more comprehensive understanding and sheds light on the dynamic interplay among stakeholders, enabling the realization of potential value co-creation. As a theoretical contribution, this research addresses the gap in explaining stakeholder interactions. This aspect is crucial for fostering collaboration, and the study accomplishes this by leveraging Social Network Analysis to identify clusters and assign them roles as sub-orchestrators to support the National Food Agency as the main orchestrator who responsible to implement co-creation management strategy (involvement, curation, and empowerment). The study also proposes stakeholder roles in the context of food security: regulator, operator, dominator, niche player, and supporter. Moreover, the practical significance of this research is highly relevant to the early stages of the National Food Agency (NFA) since its establishment in 2021. As the NFA seeks optimal structure, networks, and resources to enhance Indonesia’s existing food system, the study offers valuable insights. This comprehensive study highlights key issues in developing food security in Indonesia and provides recommendations for overcoming future challenges.

An appropriate analysis of the food security situation influences the decision-making and even planning of targeted intervention. Considering Indonesia’s vast area and different characteristics of each region, information on the food security situation for each region is needed for policy intervention. This paper conducted a composite analysis to obtain the food security situation of 416 districts in Indonesia. The weighting approach of nine indicators represented the three subsystems of food security, namely food availability, food access, and food utilization, was used for food security situation analysis. Of 416 districts, 81 were classified into food vulnerable region-based one a set of cut-off points used for districts classification. These vulnerable food regions were mainly characterized by the ratio between food production and normative consumption, the percentage of people living under the poverty line, and the prevalence of stunting. The information on vulnerable food regions and their underlying factors can be used as a basis for program intervention and policy formulation for food security in Indonesia. The program designed for food vulnerability alleviation should be located in the vulnerable food area and targeted to reduce those three underlying factors causing food vulnerability.

Food security has become a major problem in Ethiopia. To reverse the situation, inclusive businesses, such as malt barley production, are being promoted. However, the determinants of inclusion in the malt barley industry and the food security impacts of inclusion have not been studied systematically. Thus, the objectives of the present research were twofold, namely to investigate the reason for inclusion in, or exclusion from, the malt barley industry, and to examine the food security impacts of inclusion in three villages in Lay Gayint district, northern Ethiopia. The research used a mixed method approach. Survey data were collected from 140 non-included and 103 included farm households. In addition, focus group discussions were held with 18 included and 18 non-included households, as well as with six officials. Three multiple dimensions of food security were considered: food availability, measured by months per year during which households reported having an adequate food supply; food access, indicated by coping strategies employed by the households to secure sufficient food; and food utilisation, measured by food calorie intake, food variety and diet diversity scores, and three anthropometric measures for children under 5 years of age. Quantitative data were analysed using a two stage least square regression model, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results indicate that inclusion in the malt barley industry is determined by higher economic status. Older farmers and farmers living far from the main town of the district were excluded. We also show that inclusion in the malt barley industry results in higher incomes, better food access and higher diet diversity scores, but has less impact in terms of food availability, food variety score, per capita kilocalorie consumption and child growth. Based on these findings, we suggest that, in the context of inclusive business for those at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’, one needs to re-frame the targeting process of chain governance and integrate other actors who work on food and nutrition components of rural livelihoods.

Food security has become a central focus of government policy. However, 44% of Indonesia's provinces still record a Food Security Index below the national average. This study aims to identify the economic, agricultural, and social factors influencing food security and to classify provinces based on these characteristics through spatial visualization. The main scientific contribution of this study lies in integrating regression analysis, regional clustering, and spatial mapping to reveal interprovincial food security patterns in Indonesia, which remain underexplored in the existing literature. An integrative methodological approach was employed, combining multiple linear regression analysis, k-means clustering, and spatial analysis. Secondary data cover 34 Indonesian provinces in 2023 and are obtained from Statistics Indonesia and the National Food Agency, with analyses conducted using Stata 17 and ArcGIS 10.8. The empirical results indicate that poverty levels significantly and negatively affect the Food Security Index, while rice productivity and the social capital index exert positive influences. Spatially, provinces in Eastern Indonesia tend to exhibit the highest poverty levels, Java and Bali record the highest rice productivity, and the highest levels of social capital are concentrated in several provinces in Central and Eastern Indonesia. The study provides a scientific foundation for policy formulation on food security enhancement and offers a clear framework for establishing intervention priorities tailored to regional characteristics. These findings enhance the empirical understanding of the determinants and spatial patterns of food security in Indonesia, although this study does not incorporate climatic factors or market access as explanatory variables. The study provides a scientific foundation for policy formulation on food security enhancement and offers a clear framework for establishing intervention priorities tailored to regional characteristics.

Climate change affects food security because it causes a shift in the rainy or dry season, which greatly affects the pattern and timing of planting food crops. A decrease in agricultural production will trigger an increase in food prices, which in turn will lead to a decrease in household food purchasing power. Bulog, in this case as the party appointed by the government to carry out activities to maintain the Basic Purchase Price for grain, stabilize prices, especially basic prices, distribute rice for social assistance (Bansos) and manage food stocks, has several strategies to overcome this problem. This study aims to identify the impact of climate change on Indonesia's food security strategy undertaken by Bulog in 2023. The research methodology is based on secondary data that includes a literature review of, articles, e-books, open access e-journals, and previous research. The results showed the influence of climate change on the strategy of Bulog in maintaining food security despite declining production by 1) encouraging subsidiaries by Badan Usaha Milik Negara (BUMN) to increase domestic rice production, 2) building 10 rice milling centers, 7 rice processing centers to its logistics, 3) Distribution of rice assistance of 10 kg per month for low-income groups Program, 4) Stabilization of Food Price Supply (Stabilisasi Pasokan Harga Pangan), which supplies more than 1 million tons of rice at a lower price than the market price. The implication of this research is the importance of strategies to increase domestic food production, strengthen food distribution infrastructure, and pay attention to low-income groups in food assistance programs to overcome the impact of climate change on Indonesia's future food security.

Fulfilling food and nutrition for all is a priority policy for national development. This policy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2, No Hunger. Achieving this target is not easy because Indonesia has a large population with positive growth. On the other hand, climate change and the degradation of land and water resources are continuing. The Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions currently exacerbate these challenges. This study aims to analyze the performance of Indonesia's food security and formulate policy recommendations. The primary sources of data and information come from the publication of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2021 and the Food Security Vulnerability Atlas (FSVA) 2021. The data are analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. Based on GFSI, in 2021, from 113 countries studied, Indonesia's food security was ranked 69th. At the national level, based on the FSVA, Indonesia has achieved food security nationally. However, 74 out of 514 districts/cities were still vulnerable to food insecurity. Efforts to accelerate the achievement of food and nutrition security need to be focused on dimensions that are considered to have weak performance and in areas that are vulnerable to food insecurity, namely food 1) consumption and safety and 2) natural resources and resilience. In line with that, it is necessary to accelerate the development of basic service infrastructure (health, education, and roads), especially in Eastern Indonesia, and empower the community to increase their income. Food policies must be integrated and synergized with national economic and health policies.

Purpose This study examines the nexus between green-oriented Islamic agricultural financing and national food security in Indonesia, using agricultural financing provided by Islamic banks as a proxy for Islamic green financing. Design/methodology/approach This study uses provincial panel data from 34 Indonesian provinces over 2019–2023. Fixed-effects estimation is employed to control for unobserved heterogeneity, while robust least squares are applied to address outliers and violations of classical assumptions. Findings The results show that green-oriented Islamic agricultural financing is positively and statistically associated with national food security, without implying causal effects. The fixed-effects estimates indicate stronger associations with food affordability and food utilization, while no significant relationship is found with food availability. Robustness checks confirm that the positive association remains significant for national food security and food availability after controlling for outliers and influential observations. Further, regional analysis reveals marked heterogeneity, with the strongest and most consistent effects observed in Java–Kalimantan, followed by Eastern Indonesia, while the relationship is weaker and only marginally significant in the Sumatra region. Research limitations/implications This study employs Islamic agricultural financing as a proxy for green-oriented Islamic financing, which captures its potential contribution rather than fully reflecting Sharia-compliant green financing activities. Future research should develop more precise indicators incorporating environmental performance, climate resilience, governance quality, and Islamic sustainability principles. Practical implications The findings support the integration of green-oriented Islamic finance into regionally differentiated food security and sustainable agriculture policies. Originality/value This study provides recent subnational evidence on the potential contribution of green-oriented Islamic agricultural financing to food security in Indonesia using official indicators from the National Food Agency.

Food security is an important aspect of people's well-being and is always the main agenda of every government worldwide. Food insecurity will undermine human rights and become a prelude to universal health, nutrition, and development problems. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), nearly 282 million people in 59 countries experienced high levels of acute hunger in 2023 due to the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Extreme climate change and skyrocketing fertilizer prices further weaken the world's unprecedented food security situation. Malnutrition is still a significant health problem in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to assess the food security in Indonesia. This study assesses the actors of Indonesian food security agencies, policies to improve food security and sustainable nutrition, and national food security performance. It provides implications and future direction for the Indonesian government. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The data source used is in the form of reports and articles from 2020-2022. Among the primary documents refer are Global Food Security Index 2022, Global Food Security Index 2022, and Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas (FSVA). The findings suggest that the government seeks to improve food security through programs to improve food availability, access, and quality. Seeing the complexity of the food problem, multi-pillar changes are needed to transform the food system in Indonesia.