Food insecurity among smallholder beef cattle households in East Java, Indonesia: insights from Bojonegoro District

Food insecurity remains a persistent problem among rural households, including those that own livestock assets. This study examined food insecurity among smallholder beef cattle farmers in Bojonegoro District, Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured household interviews and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression. The results showed that 54.08 per cent of 98 households faced moderate-to-severe food insecurity despite owning cattle. Age was positively associated with food insecurity, whereas farming experience and monthly income were negatively associated; household size and cattle herd size were not statistically significant. These findings indicate that livestock ownership alone does not guarantee household food security. The study concludes that livestock-based development programs should be complemented by measures that strengthen household income stability, adaptive capacity, and resilience.