Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the poverty status of cassava farmers in the Wonogiri Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

International extreme poverty increased in 2020 as the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic under the power of conflict and climate change slowed progress in poverty reduction. Wonogiri Regency is the largest cassava producer in Central Java, with a poverty rate of 11.55% in 2021. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poverty status of cassava farmers in the Wonogiri Regency. The analysis method uses the Fosteer-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) index and logistic regression. The analysis showed a poverty index of cassava farmers of 0.254, a poverty gap index of 0.095, and a poverty severity index of 0.036. COVID-19 had an impact on increasing the poverty of cassava farmers. Factors affecting the poverty status of cassava farmers, in addition to COVID-19, are education, farming experience, land area, and farmer group membership. The implication is that it is necessary to increase the intensity of counseling for cassava farming, maximize the participation of farmer groups, use of non-productive land, and regenerate highly educated and quality farmers. The government is expected to stabilize the price of production inputs and selling prices of cassava and establish an agro-industry in farmer groups to increase incomes and reduce the poverty of cassava farmers.