Palm Oil Farmers’ Survival Strategy Analysis In Facing Livelihood Change: Case Study on Palm Oil Farmers in the Toman Village, Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatera

Social Science

Economic sustainability of palm oil farmers is in uncertain condition because their income are determined by global market price. The fluctuations in the price of palm oil have put palm oil farmers in Toman village in difficult situation to fulfill their family's needs. This situation causes them to carry out any work needed in order to survive from the economic pressures. Any economic activities they undertake is a form of strategy for them to be able to survive amid the economic pressures they are facing. There are three survival strategies that mentioned by the academics which are active strategy, passive strategy, and network strategy. Palm oil farmers employ those three strategies which are; active strategy by using family power resources; passive strategy by keeping household budget tight; and networking strategies by utilizing social relations such as relatives, neighbors, moneylenders, and village cooperatives (KUD). The author conducts qualitative research by interviewing experts, in-depth observation and doing literature study from different sources. The results of this study show that these strategies benefit the farmers to be able to survive and change their economics condition by becoming more active and resilient in working in many different sectors.

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