The research was aimed to study the demand for food in the Eastern Region of
Indonesia (ERI). The study used the 1996 National Socio-Economic Survey (SUSENAS)
data collected by the Central Bureau of Statistics (Biro Pusat Statistik). Descriptive
method is used for studying consumption pattern and Linear Approximation Almost Ideal
Demand System (LA/AIDS) is used for analyzing food demand. Result of the study show
as follows : (1) rice is dominant in structure of household budget, energy contribution and
household protein in ERI; (2) in some provinces of ERI, there was shifting in consumption
pattern of staple food from non-rice to rice between 1976 and 1996; (3) consumption of
food as source of carbohydrate in rural areas is higher than in urban areas, but it was
vice versa for the consumption of food as protein sources; (4) the higher income of
household, the higher food consumption; (5) food demands of household in rural areas
was more responsive to price and income changes than the household in urban areas,
and households with the higher income were less responsive to the price and income
changes; and (6) variable of number of household member and education level of head of
household influenced significantly to food demand of household in RI. Implication of the
study are: (1) it is necessary to develop and promote non-rice main food that is suitable
to local potentials; (2) policies of food and nutrition in ERI should be prioritized to the
household with lower income in rural areas; (3) to satisfy consumption level of energy
and protein is needed to increase about 2% income of households with lower income in
rural areas; and (4) socialization of education and extension of food and nutrition are still
very important carried out in ERI.