Increasing production and income of rice farming: Keywords of food security and poverty alleviation

Abstract

Farmers’ income is a good indicator of farming feasibility through the large ratio of income to farm costs. The income of rice farmers also has an impact on the level of poverty and household food security of farmers, which is related to the ability of farmers to meet food needs based on the income received from rice farming. This research was conducted using a survey method through qualitative and quantitative approaches. Determination of the location and research respondents was carried out deliberately by the method of purposive sampling method in 1 (one) farmer group totaling 20 farmers (heads of families). The results showed that the amount of production, price, cost, and income of rice farming would affect the income and farm feasibility index. The feasibility ratio of more than 1 (2,34) indicates that rice farming has a comparative advantage, but the feasibility value has not been able to lift rice farmer households from poverty. The average rice farmer household in the Labuan Toposo Village is in the criteria of “Poor” households with a household income equivalent to a value of between 240-320 kg of rice/person/year. However, even though the farmer’s family is classified as poor, by having a side business, the average farmer household can have food security from a side business by raising livestock and utilizing the yard by growing vegetables and fruit, taking non-timber forest products such as rattan and honey.