Psychological Determinants of Farmer Household Empowerment in Achieving Food Security and Resilience in Vegetable and Fruit Production during the COVID-19 Pandemic and New Normal

Abstract

This study examines the dominant socioeconomic determinants that can empower farmer households to develop the security and resilience of vegetable and fruit food during the COVID-19 pandemic and the New Normal. The research location was in Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research method used is a descriptive survey. The results showed that four socioeconomic factors were dominant in determining the behavior of the three clusters of respondents' households in maintaining and developing food security for vegetables and fruit. The four dominant factors that determine the success of the respondent's household empowerment include awareness, experience, family support, and accessibility to agricultural technology and food processing. The empowerment pattern designed requires connectivity with several elements that strengthen the function of the four most dominant determinants. The various elements include the availability of local resources, responsibility, a sense of belonging, openness, cooperation, and the availability of technology packages.