Determinants of Household Perceptions and Acceptance of Sago  as a Local Staple Substitute

Natal Basuki; Nursamsi Nursamsi; Haris Mahmud; Suhardi Suhardi

doi:10.62394/scientia.v5i1.299

Authors

Natal Basuki Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Khairun
Nursamsi Nursamsi Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Khairun
Haris Mahmud Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Khairun
Suhardi Suhardi Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Khairun

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62394/scientia.v5i1.299

Keywords:

household perception, local food, sago, food security, island region

Abstract

Research on local food systems has often overlooked the comprehensive dynamics of household perceptions, particularly in archipelagic regions characterized by high levels of food vulnerability. This study aimed to examine the determinants of household perceptions and acceptance of sago (Metroxylon sagu) as a local staple food substitute in Tidore, Indonesia. A quantitative approach was employed through a survey of 88 households selected using proportional random sampling from a population of 728 households. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, perception index analysis, and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that household perceptions of sago were generally high, as reflected by the accessibility and availability index (76.74), nutrition and health awareness index (87.84), social acceptance index (88.18), and economic value and food security index (85.97). Multiple regression analysis indicated that age (B = 2.31, p = 0.021), education (B = 3.59, p < 0.001), and household size (B = 5.19, p < 0.001) had positive and statistically significant effects on household perceptions of sago. In contrast, household income showed no significant effect (B = −1.97, p = 0.11), while the model explained 54.7% of the variance in household perceptions (R² = 0.547). These findings provide empirical evidence that sago represents a strategic local food resource for strengthening food security in archipelagic regions. The study highlights the need for local governments to formulate integrated food diversification policies and promote value-added processing of sago-based products to reduce dependence on imported staple foods.

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