The dimension of rural-urban linkage of food security assessment: an Indonesian case study

ABSTRACT This study puts emphasis on a literature review of current theoretical strands in two major fields: food security and rural-urban linkage. It then critically evaluates the relation between these two. It examines the extent to which the preparation of the Food Security Vulnerability Atlas developed by the World Food Programme considers the rural-urban linkage dimension. The linkage and differences between rural and urban characteristics that significantly affect the pillars of food security are explored based on empirical data obtained from two local governments in Central Java Province, Indonesia. This study shows that the dimension of rural-urban linkage has been included in the Food Security Vulnerability Atlas preparation guideline in Indonesia, although the notion of rural-urban linkage is not explicitly mentioned in the guideline. However, translation of such guideline at the municipality and regency government levels is problematic due to a lack of data readiness. Meanwhile, attempts to modify food security indicators to adapt to data availability are somehow not compatible with the notion of rural-urban linkage.