The Paradox of Agrarian Change: Food Security and the Politics of Social Protection in Indonesia

This book examines the failure of poverty reduction programs in Indonesia to reduce food insecurity, highlighting the limited opportunities for poor households to accumulate wealth due to class, gender, and power dynamics in rural local contexts. It concludes that social assistance alone is unlikely to counter the persistence of rural poverty, food insecurity, and precarity without other redistributive strategies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: NUS Press

Economic growth in Southeast Asia's middle-income countries has been widely celebrated for reducing poverty in both absolute and relative terms, with Indonesia serving as a prime example. However, while poverty has declined in Indonesia, patterns of food poverty persist across the country. This troubling paradox raises questions about the relationship between economic development, agrarian change processes, and the effectiveness of Indonesia's social protection programs.

This book aims to analyze the nature and social consequences of economic development and agrarian change processes in rural Indonesia in relation to the scope and effectiveness of Indonesia's social protection programs. The findings are based on extensive ground-up case studies conducted in Indonesian communities across various eco-agrarian settings. The authors seek to understand the drivers of food insecurity and vulnerability at a household level.

The results of the study reveal that while high-value farming, diversification, and migration may offer economic progress opportunities for poor households, accumulation prospects are limited. This is primarily due to the way class, gender, and power operate in remote local contexts, as well as the fact that a significant portion of surplus income is used for enhanced consumption and changing lifestyles. There are few signs of the classical structural transformation of the countryside, traditionally considered the most decisive pathway out of rural poverty.

The authors conclude that social assistance alone is unlikely to counter the persistence of rural poverty, food insecurity, and precarity in the absence of other redistributive strategies. They suggest that policies and programs should prioritize rural development, including investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, to create more sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Additionally, efforts to address gender inequality, promote social inclusion, and strengthen local governance are crucial in addressing food poverty and improving the well-being of rural communities.

In conclusion, this book provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between economic development, agrarian change, and social protection in rural Indonesia. It highlights the challenges faced by poor households and the need for comprehensive policies and programs to address food poverty and promote sustainable rural development.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789813251830