The Food Shortage And Javanese Society From The End Of 1910s To 1920

Abstract: Since the end of the 19th century Indonesia needed to import large amount of rice [see table I] because of its shortage resulting from the rapid colonial exploitation which reorganized Indonesia to the country of producing tropical specialities and also because of the limited possibility of opening new rice fields in spite of the continuous population growth in the country [see table 2]. In this way the food situation in Indonesia became more influenced by the rice import than its domestic production. Under these circumstances Indonesia experienced food crisis several times, and one of the most serious ones was that which occurred from the end of World War 1 to 1920. In this report we will at first see, focusing on Java and Madura. the food situation in this period in detail. and secondly examine how the Dutch Colonial Government coped with it. And finally we will consider the meaning of their measures viewed from the Javanese society at that time. Keywords: The Food Shortage, End Of 1910s To 1920 Javanese Society , End Of 1910s To 192