Coastal Traders’ Adaptation: Farming as Secondary Livelihood Amidst COVID-19

Abstract

Amid the economic disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, coastal communities in Bantul Regency, particularly Baru Beach and Goa Cemara Beach, experienced vulnerabilities and potential poverty, challenging the SDGs’ first priority of eradicating poverty. This study aimed to evaluate community characteristics and assess livelihood diversification strategies during the pandemic. Using purposive sampling in the selected regions, descriptive analysis revealed that the majority of business individuals were of productive age, held high school education, had over ten years of trading experience, and mainly worked in commerce, with farming as a secondary occupation. Despite the pandemic’s economic challenges, these communities displayed resilience through diversification into commerce, agriculture, and service sectors, with a notable shift from offline to online activities. This diversification not only buffered against immediate economic shocks but also suggested avenues for sustainable livelihoods, aligning with the broader ambitions of environmental sustainability and ecological balance in the context of the Agricultural Environment, Ecology, and Resources.