Paper short abstract:

Local food systems in Indonesia have unique production, trade and consumption patterns. The highlands and north coast of Bali are one such system, which has been transformed especially in recent years. Some trends will be identified in this paper that may decrease Bali’s food sovereignty.

Paper long abstract:

Local food systems in Indonesia often have a long history and unique features, relating to production, trade and consumption patterns. The highland region and northern coast of Bali are one such system, with centuries of documented regional trade relations between coastal and highland communities with complementary food products. This long established food system has been transformed by modernisation in the 20th century, and these changes have really accelerated in recent years. Based on 22 years of research in this region, several long-term trends have been identified. One is a trend toward locally specific agricultural intensification based on changes in land use, cash cropping and new forms of livestock and poultry production. Another trend is the increasing use of imported inputs, some from international sources but some also from neighbouring islands. There also has been a significant decline in traditional cash-less transactions such as labour sharing and food exchange. Finally, there are very significant changes in diet and food purchasing patterns. These factors combine to produce a decrease in Bali's food sovereignty and increasing dependence on expensive food imports.