Impact of rice-biased policy on local food system in Kepulauan Tanimbar District, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract In Kepulauan Tanimbar District of Maluku Province, various local food is being replaced by rice which impact on change in food consumption pattern from local food to rice. A study in Latdalam Village, Kandar Village, and Saumlaki City have been carried out to assess whether rice-biased policy has an impact on the Kepulauan Tanimbar community, specifically explored on the effect to local food system. The method of the study was qualitative within case study design supported by primary and secondary data. This study found that the policy not only affect change in food consumption pattern but also threaten the existence of a local food system in Kepulauan Tanimbar community. They no longer depend on their local food system and fulfill food supply from other regions instead.