The Analysis of Protein Consumption Pattern in Indonesia: A Case of Own-produced Commodities

Recently, the indicator of food security in Indonesia has improved, covering not only food availability but also food utilization. The household consumption pattern has shifted from carbohydrates to other nutrients including protein, though the change is relatively insignificant. One of the ways for the households to meet their needs for protein is by farming their protein sources. Households having own-produced food will prefer their food crops especially when the foodstuff price increases. This study aims to analyze the protein food consumption pattern from either plants or animals. It applies the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) to estimate households’ responses towards price and expenditure changes, especially for own-produced food commodities. The results reveal that when the price of animal-based protein increases, households will likely to consume cheaper protein from plants. The value of the own price elasticity is more inelastic in rural and poor households. This indicates that when there is price upsurge, those households tend to consume self-grown protein sources. It is also suggested that the small scale farming can act as a household strategy to improve their food security.