Youth and Sago: Consumption Change of Staple Food in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku

Abstract

Food diversification based on local food is one of the alternative efforts in anticipating foodcrises. Basically, the food consumption patterns of the population will generally be different andchange over time, where youth have a strategic role in the future. Therefore, this study aims torecord the current preference of a potential substitute for rice. The research was conducted inthe area of the Banau College of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, West Halmahera Regency,North Maluku. The results of the study indicate that there has been a change in the pattern ofyouth staple food consumption from local foods such as sago to rice. Based on consumptionpatterns, only some youths make sago a staple food. Rice is still the main preference of youthas staple food in everyday life. While sago is the second priority as a staple food in the menu ofyouth consumption patterns. There are several factors that cause changes in consumptionpatterns, including: 1) development policies and food policies on one food commodity, namelyrice; 2) Conversion of sago forests into paddy fields; 3) public perception of sago; and 4) theculture of eating rice brought by transmigrants. Therefore, systematic efforts are needed fromboth the government, the private sector and the community to achieve food security. The localgovernment is expected to be able to promote food diversification programs. The private sectorcan develop local food (sago) into derivative products that can be accepted by the widercommunity, such as noodles, bread, flour, cakes, etc. From the community side, efforts todiversify can be started from the family by diversifying daily staple foods. Society as thesmallest unit in a country has an important role in the success of food diversification.