Household Food Security Indicators and Measurement Challenges in Indigenous Rural Areas: A Systematic Literature Review

Nora Fiza (Doctoral Programme in Development Studies, Graduate School, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia)
Erwin (Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia)
Novizar Nazir (Department of Food Technology and Agricultural Products , Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia)
Faidil Tanjung (Agribusiness Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia)

ARMADA : Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin
Vol. 4 No. 9 (2026): ARMADA : Jurnal Penelitian Multidisplin, September 2026

Household food security among Indigenous communities in rural areas faces complex challenges due to limited access, environmental changes, and the inadequacy of measurement approaches in capturing local socio-cultural contexts. This study aimed to analyse household food security indicators, measurement challenges, adaptation strategies, and research gaps among Indigenous communities. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA framework by searching literature published between 2021 and 2026 through Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and DOAJ. A total of 25 relevant articles were analysed to identify measurement approaches and factors influencing food security. The findings indicate that standardised quantitative methods often have limitations in representing local cultural values, whereas context-based qualitative approaches provide a more comprehensive understanding of Indigenous communities’ food security dynamics. Indigenous communities demonstrate strong adaptive capacity through traditional knowledge, local food resources, and agricultural innovations. However, climate change, weak governance, inequality, and limited policy support remain major barriers. This review highlights the need to develop holistic and culturally sensitive food security assessment tools that incorporate local socio-cultural and ecological dimensions.