Survive of the Indonesia farmers in during the Covid-19 Pademic: Findings of the South Sumatra

Department of Agricultural Social-economic, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sriwijaya, Palembang-Prabumulih Highway, 32th miles, 30662, Indralaya, South Sumatra, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: agustinabidarti@unsri.ac.id

Abstract

This research aims to perform an empirical analysis of rural farmer conditions in South Sumatera during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. To fulfill the research objectives, there are some things focused on economic and demographic features, levels and patterns of income and consumption, the magnitude of debt factors, and social conditions and the position of farmers in society. This research is a survey study with multiple regression analysis methods. The sample selection is carried out in a multilevel with a sample number of 300 farmers in South Sumatra. Based on this study, first, during the pandemic, farmers were in a difficult condition because of the low income from agricultural products that was not balanced with consumption expenditure. Farmers' income during the pandemic amounted to 104.54 USD, a decrease from the previous year amounting to 218.28 USD. Decreased by 52.16 percent before the pandemic. Second, they survive by making debt loans. Third, reduced income and large amounts of debt have caused farmers to be unable to meet their basic needs, where around 65.22 percent of total consumption is spent on non-durable goods or only to fulfill their basic needs.