THE EFFECT OF LABOR UTILIZATION AND RICE FARMING INCOME DUE TO COVID-19 IN KENDAL REGENCY

Abstract

The Covid-19 attack had a negative impact on the economy and human health. At the beginning of the pandemic period in the second quarter of 2020, the GDP of all agricultural sector businesses experienced positive growth and the food crop sub-sector made the largest contribution. On the other hand, employment in the agricultural sector decreased 0.42%. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on labor use and rice farming income in Kendal Regency. The effect of the use of labor is reflected in the input-output table. Income changes use a partial budget analysis. From the results of the analysis, it can be seen that the farmer’s income has decreased by Rp. 2,785,000 per ha. The decline in income was due to a 26% decrease in production. The decline in production is due to farmers reducing their use of fertilizers and medicines. During the pandemic, farmers reduced the use of outside labor from 87% to 69%. In order to reduce farmers’ losses, it is recommended that the government help provide input production facilities which are distributed directly to farmers, and reduce crowds by increasing the availability and use of agricultural tools (mechanization).