The consumption of livestock products is one of the key sources of protein. It plays an important role in fulfilling the nutritional needs of children, which impacts their growth and development.
However, research has shown that low-income households tend to consume large quantities of plant-based foods and starchy meals rather than high-value animal products.
This was conveyed by Professor Mujtahidah Anggriani Ummul Muzayyanah in her inaugural speech as professor of livestock product behavioral economics at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science on Tuesday (Feb. 18), held in the Senate Hall of the UGM Central Office.
In her speech, “Transformation of Livestock Product Consumption Behavior from the Perspective of Malnutrition Economics,” Professor Muzayyanah also explained that low-income households more frequently consume plant-based foods and starchy meals in large quantities than high-value animal products.
“This is largely because households in this group must prioritize meeting basic food needs,” she explained.
According to her, the low level of milk consumption in Indonesia results in poor nutrition for toddlers and children, which will, in the long term, affect human resource quality.
At the same time, low-income households find it difficult to access milk and other high-value animal products such as meat and dairy.
She concluded that low economic levels mainly cause the lack of animal protein consumption, and the high prices lead people to choose lower-quality animal protein sources.
Egg consumption is the highest in poor rural areas.
In her view, consumers’ food choices are based on income, price, and preferences, which determine food demand.
“Food intake and nutritional status related to economic development are driven by the interaction between prices and income, along with innovations in food production, distribution, and marketing,” she concluded.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie