Livelihood diversification and food security in rubber farmer household

Purpose. Rubber farming is one of the primary livelihood sources for most smallholder farmers in Indonesia. Reducing rubber prices in recent years has decreased farmers’ income, purchasing power, and food security. To overcome this problem, farmers have applied livelihood diversification, but limited research exists about the determining factors of livelihood diversification and whether it can improve food security. The study was aimed at highlighting the determining factors of livelihood diversification and its effect on food security. Methodology / approach. The selected sample was 200 rubber household farmers in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The determining factors of livelihood diversification and their impact on food security were analysed using the logit model. Food security was analysed by categorising food expenditure and calorie adequacy. Results. Over the past decade, households engaged in rubber farming have experienced a decline in latex prices, which has affected the stability of their incomes. Livelihood diversification was practiced by 89% of rubber farmer households in the form of crop diversification, livestock farming, and non-agricultural activities. Family size and rubber age increase the opportunity for diversification, while experience, farm size, and farm distance negatively affect the likelihood of diversification. Households with diversified livelihoods have a better food security status. About 95.45% of households without livelihood diversification are in a state of food insecure, while households that have diversified their sources of income are divided into the categories of food secure (16.29%), food vulnerable (28.65%), food insufficient (50%), and food insecure in a small proportion (5.06%). The food security status of farming households can improve with increased age, education, income, and the implementation of livelihood diversification. Other variables with a negative impact on food security are family size and the prices of consumer goods. Originality / scientific novelty. This study is unique in that it empirically analyses the livelihood diversification strategies used during prolonged periods of low prices and their implications for household food security. The scientific contribution of this study lies in demonstrating that the effectiveness of livelihood diversification for improving food security varies according to household characteristics Practical value / implications. The government and policymakers must develop policies to increase farmers’ awareness, motivation, and affordability in adopting livelihood diversification to increase household food security. These policies include increasing informal education, improving infrastructure, providing input assistance, and market access.