Determinants of Local Food Resilience: Evidence from Cassava-Based Agricultural Practices in Pati Regency, Central Java Province

¹ Research Fellow at Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
² Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
³ Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
⁴ Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: nurmuttaqien@unimus.ac.id

Abstract

Cassava production contributes significantly to local food resilience in Pati Regency, Central Java. However, challenges such as fluctuating yields and inconsistent input use pose a threat to long-term sustainability. This study examines the determinants of cassava production and its sustainability, employing a descriptive quantitative approach. The Cobb-Douglas model, estimated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), was employed to identify production factors, while sustainability was measured using the coefficient of variation (CV). Data were collected from 136 farmers across three major cassava-producing subdistricts. The results show that land area, seed quantity, and fertiliser have a significant influence on production, while labour and pesticides have no significant effect. Production sustainability is generally moderate, with variations across regions. Diversification practices, technology adoption, cooperative participation, and farming experience significantly enhance yield stability, whereas access to extension services shows no significant impact. Based on these findings, strengthening cassava sustainability requires integrated strategies, including the application of appropriate technologies such as site-specific fertiliser recommendations and simple mechanisation tools, as well as institutional reinforcement through farmer cooperatives, collective input procurement, and structured technology adoption programs. These operational measures are crucial for building a more adaptive, productive, and resilient cassava farming system that supports local food security.