Research on World Agricultural Economy

Reimagining Life Quality of Farmers in South Sumatra Peatlands, Indonesia

M. Edi Armanto

Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University, Palembang 30820, Indonesia

Elisa Wildayana

Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University, South Sumatra 30820, Indonesia.

Bella Syakina

Centre for Global Sustainability Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800,  Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v6i1.1153

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Abstract

This research aims to understand better the changes in farmers' perceptions of life quality in the peatlands of South Sumatra, Indonesia. In particular, the study will look at the variety of opinions regarding these modifications as well as the connection between these shifts in perception and capital assets. Research data were collected through direct interviews with respondents using questionnaires, and then continued with the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method to absorb all aspirations and opinions of respondents related to life quality. The research facts and data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel and SPSS programs. The research results concluded that there are ten dominant parameters to express the life quality of farmers, namely food; money; children; house; land; health; vehicle/working equipment; employment, fishery/livestock, and others (not specifically identified). These parameters can be classified into capital of human; financial; physical; natural; and social. Farmers are faced to pressures and surprises affecting all aspects of life and influencing their five capital assets. Coping with the changes is divided into reactive adaptations and proactive adaptations. Currently, reactive adaptations applied by farmers are still insufficient to maintain their asset base because dependency of farmers on natural resources is very high and the inability of farmers to prepare for unexpected events (shock, disasters, natural risks, etc.) is still high. Proactive adaptations (such as improvements in road infrastructure, bridges, and education) are urgently needed by farmers, but only a small portion of this strategy can be implemented by the authorities due to the unstable economic and political situation of the country, thus the prospects of farmers facing the rapid changes due to occurring unexpected events are still gloomy.

Keywords: Farmers; Life Quality; Peatlands; Perception Changes

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