Rural Communities in the Small-Scale Agriculture Sector: Adaptations and Experiences in Navigating The COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the economic and social well-being of communities globally in various aspects, including rural communities involved in the small-scale agriculture sector. This study aims to assess how rural communities in the small-scale agriculture sector are adapting and overcoming the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as identify lessons that can be learned from them to be paid attention to in planning for rural development and the future agricultural sector. This study is a quantitative study that uses a survey study design. The data was collected through a questionnaire distributed to 72 heads of households directly involved in the smallholder agriculture sector in two villages located in rural Sabah. The findings of the study found that respondents faced difficult situations such as limited access to the market and agricultural products that could not be marketed. In addition, it was found that there was also a surplus and wastage of agricultural products, disruptions in the food supply chain and abandoned crops. However, the study also found that respondents used various strategies to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the main ones are exploring potential alternative marketing channels, exploring new agricultural areas and restoring old abandoned agricultural areas, processing surplus agricultural products, practicing the exchange of agricultural products with neighbours and reducing movement to the garden by spending the night in the garden.  In line with the findings of the study, it is important for the government to work hand in hand with rural communities and the private sector to develop a systematic distribution and marketing network system for agricultural products in rural areas, emphasizing efforts to strengthen the reach of rural communities to basic infrastructure, increasing the coverage of digital technology, and establishing centers of agricultural product processing activities in rural areas.  encourage diversification of the agricultural economy, strengthen social support systems and foster human resource development. This effort is important in efforts to increase the resilience of rural communities in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19 in the future.