Determinants of household food expenditure in a cassava growing village in southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the factors affecting food consumption expenditure among cassava growing households in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The study was carried out in Lapodi village, Pasarwajo subdistrict, Buton district, from April to July 2018. The primary data were collected from 32 respondents selected using a random sampling method. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the multiple regression method. The study results showed that households spent a very high percentage of food expenditure (89.84 percent) compared to nonfood expenditure (10.16 percent). The food expenditure was dominated by starchy staple foods, fish, and eggs while spending on vegetables, fruits, and milk was low. Most cassava growing households had low levels of well-being, and their food consumption lacked dietary diversity and quality. The household income, education level of heads of household, fish price, family size, and cassava yield had positive and significant influences on the food consumption expenditure. The government should adopt policies and programs to increase household income and provide nutrition education for households to incorporate balanced and diversified diets for a more healthy and active life.