The alternative policies to sustain the level of sufficient domestic rice staple food supply for the population (A case study in Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Indonesia)

Abstract

The Indonesian government has implemented various policies to meet the population’s need to raise staple food. Global food crises and malnutrition issues arise from several factors including population growth, uncontrolled conversion of rice fields, shifting consumption patterns, and climate change. Therefore, efforts to maintain and increase domestic rice production have become crucial to reduce potential food vulnerabilities and dependence on other countries for food. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of domestic rice sufficiency in the Banyumas Regency, analyze key related variables, and formulate policies to maintain it. The research methods used were visual image interpretation, building dynamic models, and conducting prospective analysis using the MICMAC method. The results show that domestic rice sufficiency is decreasing, resulting in a widening gap between the population’s rice needs and the domestic rice supply. The domestic rice supply in the study area can meet the rice needs of the local population by 2025, and in 2026, a deficit will begin to occur. Policies that can be implemented include increasing the planting index, improving rice productivity, food diversification, and implementing regulations to protect the rice fields. Critical variables in its implementation include the Regent’s Regulation on Rice Field Protection, detailed spatial information on rice fields, irrigation water availability, and the active role of farmer groups.