Food security in the disaster-prone area: an empirical study from the rural area of Indonesia

Abstract

Natural disasters affect food security due to low production in the affected areas, so that securing food is a top priority when a disaster occurs. This study aims to identify the food security status of a village located in disaster risk areas and formulates village development plans to reduce the risk of food insecurity. The case study area is Kaumrejo Village, Malang Regency as one of the most affected villages by the Kelud volcano eruption. This research employed a food security analysis based on the Ministry of Agriculture regulation regarding food security measurement and literature study. The results showed Kaumrejo village achieved food security a year after the disaster occurred. The status of this village’s food security quickly recovered even though local food production was hampered because the farmlands were covered by material from the eruption. One supported factors was the high import of food stocks from other regions. During the disaster response period, this village received huge support from the volunteers and the government. Upon disaster response period ended, village communities struggled to achieve their food security status as the farmland needed time to recover. The villagers need to establish alternative income generators to buy food supplies.