1. Introduction
Rice farming households play an essential role in contributing to national income. Paddy rice commodities contribute around 60 percent of the payment of 87 percent of the agricultural sector income in Indonesia [
1]. However, the fact is that the ownership of rice fields in rice farming households is getting narrower, on average 0.5 hectares are owned by 15.89 million agricultural households [
1]. The narrower ownership of paddy fields resulted in a decrease in the area of rice harvest and a reduction in rice production. The magnitude of the decline in rice production by 27.58 percent in the last five years (2015-2019) in Indonesia [
2,
3]. The decline in rice production has caused low household incomes for rice farmers. The low income has resulted in rice farming households not meeting the necessities of life so the standard of living has not been better.
Indramayu District was selected as our research area because of a rice field center. Agricultural conditions are still subsistence and risk-prone, characterized by drought when the dry season, flooding when the rainy season, and reduced paddy fields due to seawater intrusion [
4]. The driving factor for rice farming households to avoid risk by carrying out a livelihood diversification strategy to obtain additional income in Indramayu District. Smallholder farmers are more likely to avoid risk by diversifying livelihoods to minimize variations in income [
5]. Livelihood diversification can reduce stress, such as floods, droughts, diseases, and the others [
6,
7]. The combination of diversified farming and non-farming livelihoods will be better for paddy rice farming households as it provides livelihood security and a standard of the living [
5]. Rural households that diversify their livelihoods are those who can build better and less vulnerable household assets when compared to those who do not diversify their livelihoods [
8].
Diversification of agricultural livelihoods provides benefits for environmental sustainability. Diversifying agricultural livelihoods by diversifying crops can stabilize the productivity of cropping systems, reduce negative environmental impacts, and reduce biodiversity [
9,
10]. Diversification of agricultural livelihoods outside of farming (
off-farm diversification) provides additional income as farm laborers and entrepreneurs [
11]. However, rice farming households that have narrow land and low income cannot grow cash crops that have high selling value, so agricultural diversification can be to has not been successful [
12]. In addition, there are several factors inhibiting the diversification of agricultural livelihoods, such as poor market access, market instability, limited government support, high input costs [
11]; Limited labor, availability of superior seeds of commercial commodities that not met standards, fertilizer had not been fulfilled [
13]; irrigation infrastructure is less supportive, soil quality is not supportive [
14,
15]. Of course, this is a motivating factor for rice farming households to diversify livelihoods in non-agricultural. Empirical results prove that the integration of non-agricultural livelihoods provides benefits for rural farming households in the food security [
16], to increase income, and lower poverty rates [
17,
18,
19]. Agricultural activities, non-agricultural activities, and a combination of agriculture activities and non-agricultural activities have a positive impact on income and welfare [
20]. Income in developing countries of 50.0 percent comes from non-agricultural activities, money transfers, and pension payments [
21]. In Indonesia, agricultural household income earns 68.91 percent from non-agricultural enterprises [
22]. Hence, it is important for rice farmer household, especially those with narrow farming area, to do non-farm diversification as an opportunity of a non-farm job and a way out of poverty.
Livelihood diversification for each rice farming household is different, depends on how households optimize the sources owned with their ability. As the phrase goes [
5] that livelihood resources or assets determine people's ability to have livelihood strategies to meet their needs. Resources in the livelihood approach had referred to as capital. There were five types of livelihood capital by households according to [
21,
23], namely human capital (education, skills, and health), social capital (networks and associations), natural capital (water, land, trees, and others), physical capital (investment in the form of goods), and financial capital (money, savings, access to loans). Findings [
24] that the empirical of household capital had a significant effect on people's livelihood strategies in Inner Mongolia, China. Similarly with the findings [
8,
25] that rural households use their free time to engage in non-agricultural activities in Bangladesh. In addition, it is also evident that higher education, male labor, and infrastructure have a positive and significant effect on the diversification of non-agricultural livelihoods. Meanwhile, the age of the head of household, the farming experience of the head of the family, and the ownership of land have a negative and significant influence on the diversification of non-agricultural livelihoods. It means that young workers have the opportunities to get wage jobs and entrepreneurship in non-agricultural activities.
Opposite [
18] finding the age of the head of household has a positive and significant effect on verified livelihoods. It means that the elderly had enough wealth and experience to invest in non-agricultural activities. The value of the level of diversities of livelihoods of each rice farmer household in an area has a relationship with the household capital of rice farmers. The relationship between the value of the level of livelihood diversification (diversity of livelihoods in the household) is negative and not significant with farming area ownership and exploitation [
26,
27], positive with the mount of household member working [
26,
27], and is negative and weak land tenure and land concession area [
27].
The results of previous research on livelihood diversification had found, but the variables were independent. Household capital was used in determining livelihood diversification. The covariance-based and variance-based Structural Equational Modeling (SEM) was still rare. The analytical method using logit regression models, multinomial logit, and SEM has weaknesses, in which normal distribution and units of measure are the main requirements. Therefore, we promote livelihood diversification by combining the five capitals owned by rice farming households (human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital, and financial capital) as material for exogenous variable constructs of rice farmer household capital. This study uses the value of the level of livelihood diversification (
entropy index), diversification of agricultural livelihoods, and diversification of non-agricultural livelihoods as materials endogenous variable constructs of livelihood diversification. The analysis tool used is the SmartPLS software program. The reason for using SmartPLS is because this method has several advantages, namely: it does not matter the normal distribution and units of measure (nominal, ordinal data, ratio data), the number of respondents is not much like the method SEM-CB [
28,
29]. Thus, this research is important to be conducted. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of household capital of rice farmers on livelihood diversification in Indramayu District. The empirical results of this study predict that the household capital of rice farmers has a significant effect on livelihood diversification.
This research has based a framework for determining the capital-based livelihood diversification of rice farmer households by compiling an econometric model. First, the capital from rice farmer households construct has been completed (human capital, social capital, physical capital, natural capital, and financial capital based on the perception of rice farmer households). Second, compiling a livelihood diversion construct (the value of the level of livelihood distribution marked by the entropy index, diversification of agricultural livelihoods, and diversification of non-agricultural livelihoods is assessed based on the perception of rice farmer households). Third, connecting the two constructs of household capital of rice farmers and the construct of diversifying livelihoods. Fourth, conduct analysis using the partial method of SmartPLS tools. Then in the next chapter, a discussion and conclusion are carried out.
4. Discussion
The result in the analysis of livelihood diversification model of rice farmers in Indramayu District shows that household capitals have positive and significant impact to livelihood diversification. This finding goes along with a finding [
80] that all household capitals (human, social, natural, physical, and financial capitals) are positively and significantly impacting living strategies. Another study [
5,
33] also strengthens that in order to reach livelihood diversification, the ability to combine owned household capitals is essential. The more complete capital components combined, the higher value the capitals would give, hence the higher livelihood diversification.
This discussion focuses more on loading factor result as an indicator of highest contribution in every capital dimension of latent exogenous variable in this study, hence it is statistically recommended to be prioritized. The order of capital dimension with highest contribution on rice farmer household capital as the exogenous latent variable (X) goes as follows: physical capital (X4), natural capital (X3), financial capital (X5), social capital (X2), and human capital (X1). Livelihood diversification index (Y1) is the best indicator of livelihood diversification as endogenous latent variable (Y). Given that, to fix livelihood diversification, livelihood diversification index is prioritized to be improved.
Physical capital dimension value (X
4) on household capital of rice farmers (X) can be improved by alternatively prioritizing farming tools and machinery indicator (X
4.2) due to its ability to give the highest contribution. The repair of farming tools and machinery as physical capital to increase household capital variable took effect in increasing livelihood diversification variable as well. Rice farmers in Indramayu District only have very simple farming tools and machinery, such as hoe, sickle, chopper,
kenca (rice spacing tool), handsprayer,
gebotan (simple grain and straw separator), pumping machine, tractor, and
grabagan (grain and straw separator machine), to increase their farm production. As stated in prior study by [
81], adoption farming machineries are the determinant factor of rice production. Not only that, [
82] also stated that machine in mechanizing production may save time, increase production, decrease unemployment, increase income, as well as increase consumption and food safety. The simplicity of owned farming tools resulted in household members of rice farmers, both male and female, utilizing their spare time doing off-farm activities, such as renting farming tools and machinery or freelance farmers, aside from doing on-farm diversification for additional income. As studied by [
83], female participation in off-farm activities are more dominant compared to males who tends to participate in on-farm activities, in order to decrease labor scarcity in off-farm activities. Hence, it is crucial to improve and increase farming tools and machinery owning in rice farmer household on rice farmer household capital to reach livelihood diversification for additional income.
Climate change indicator (X
3.2) gives highest contribution on natural capital dimension (X
3) in increasing rice farmer household capital variable (X). Rice farmer households, in facing the impact of extreme climate, do non-farm part-time jobs around Indramayu District to survive and improve their household welfare. They rely on skills and experiences owned, such as construction, trading, carpenting, etc. This goes along with [
84], stating that part-time farmers and poor farm labors tend to be resilient in facing extreme climate change due to their vast source of income, hence being potential to migrate to non-farm jobs. Aside from that, rice farmer households also harvest horticultures with high economical value, such as cauliflower, red onion, chili, watermelon, and melon in Indramayu District. This is supported by [
85], that harvesting various horticulture combination may lower the risk in production. Similar with [
86], stating that farming diversification in forms of crops and commercial plants may become a safety net on uncertain climate which causes fluctuation in price, etc. Therefore, it is important to improve skills and knowledge of rice farmer households in facing fluctuating climate through farming instructors.
Financial capital dimension (X
5) may increase rice farmer household capital variable (X) in Indramayu District by prioritizing the increase in capital source indicator (X
5.3). Capital source becomes a crucial factor of financial capital in rice farmer livelihood diversification. Loan, being easy, fast, and according to agreement, is one of the main capital sources. It is being done usually from family, relative, neighbor, friend, wholesaler, loan shark, or farm stall. Other from loan, government’s aid becomes another capital source in forms of natures, such as rice seeds, liquid organic medicines, and fertilizer subsidy. As stated by [
11], farm credit or loan positively and significantly impacting farm livelihood diversification towards off-farm activities, such as being farm labor, or entrepreneur by renting farming tools and machineries. Rice farmer households in Indramayu District tend not to take loans from banks due to their believe that banks have complicated terms and conditions, take long time, and have set the payment method one-sided, not according to agreement. Not only that, the interest and liabilities needed are considered rather arduous. This kind of loan is usually done by rice farmer household that are used to diversify their livelihood towards non-farm activities, such as gravestone making, being sellers on the market, selling phone credits, or even having game rentals. According to [
37], formal credits positively and significantly affecting non-farm livelihood diversification in rural areas. Hence, it is important for banks to adjust their loan system according to the conditions and ability of rice farmer household in these rural areas, such as adjusting the amount of loan to the real-time cost and input needs or agreeing repayments at the end of each harvest period.
Prioritizing the increase of social networking indicator in social capital (X
2) is needed, concerning its highest contribution (X
2.2) in increasing rice farmer household capital (X) in Indramayu District which will as well increase the livelihood diversification. This is done by maintaining good relationship with family, neighbor, friend, as well as land tenure agencies. This good relationship is built from acquaintance and trust between individuals and social institution, giving access that may strengthen human capital to reach other capitals to increase overall capital owned by a household. [
87] stated that social infrastructures such as trust, joint actions, as well as social networking may strengthen the society as a social capital. As maintained by rice farmer households in Indramayu District, the good relationship opens access to trust, information, as well as capital for livelihood diversification, both farm and non-farm, to reach welfare. Farming land tenure agencies shows trust by giving lease, profit sharing, mortgage, and farming labors as forms of continuity guarantee of on-farm livelihood diversification of rice farmer household. This goes along with [
88], finding that social capital, through bonding and bridging, empirically proven to decrease the depth and to get out of poverty.
Donation of human capital dimension (X
1), by prioritizing farming skills (X
1.3) may increase rice farmer household capital (X) in Indramayu District. Human resource has found as one of the resources that can support agribusiness model [
89] . The increase in farming skills of the head of the family may increase the value of their capital and give effect to farming livelihood diversification
2 found that farming skills positively and significantly affecting farming livelihood diversification. Throughout the years, farming skills are inherited to the head of the household, either from parents, friends, instructors, or even self-obtained. The farming skills implemented to diversify farming livelihood includes implementing on-farm crop rotation system (rice-rice-other crops), intercropping on the same land (tomato, red onion, cucumber), as well as integrating rice and cows as crops and cattle. Not only that, off-farm activities using farming tools and machineries are also done by rice farmer in their spare time to diversify their livelihood. By having the skill to operate on the farming tools and machineries, they can be a professional operator which gets high wage. As stated by [
90], off-farm operators are very much wanted in America with promising wage. Farming skills done needed to be improved through skills regarding internet, technology, as well as communication. This is meant to broaden their insights regarding a lot of matters, from the quality and price of seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, cultivation techniques for each type of plant, to target market and its marketing. Hence, it is needed for farming skills to be improved through technical guidance by farming instructors from government programs regarding commercial plant diversification, trainings on the usage of modern farming tools and machinery, as well as the provision of internet facility in rural areas.
The indicator of livelihood diversification index (Y
1) is the best to inform on endogenous latent variable of livelihood diversification (Y). Livelihood diversification index is the value of entropy index: the distribution of household member working on various livelihood (on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm). The livelihood diversification index of rice farmer household in Indramayu District is about 1, showing equal distribution of household members working on various livelihood. However, the mean livelihood diversification index is quite low in all household, being about 0.33. The higher livelihood diversification index in a household, the better welfare they have [
19]. Therefore, it is essential to increase livelihood diversification index in every rice farmer household to reach welfare. The role of both central and local government is important, by opening new jobs towards non-farm sector or giving technical guidance to households having small businesses until they success at their market.
Hence, matters prioritized in increasing rice farmer household capital as stated above are needed to be concerned by government of Indramayu District in making policies. The support and attention from central and local government would be much needed, especially in local government’s commitment in aiding access to livelihood diversification of rice farmer household in Indramayu District. The implementation priority in this study is to (1) give proper farming tools and machineries according to location as well as technical guidance until success in usage, (2) train household to diversify crops and cattle to anticipate climate change, (3) aid financial capital through government banks by giving easy terms and conditions as well as adjusting loan according to real-time annual production input cost and the size of cultivated land, (4) aid social networking to land tenure agencies by giving access to governmental land as usable land, and (5) improve farming skills holistically by providing technical guidance, such as training in governmental programs, and facilitate internet network.
Nevertheless, this study has several limitations. With rice farmer household capital affecting livelihood diversification by only 44,1%, numerous other factors may also affect the variable in this structural model of study. Farm and supportive institution variable may be added to help and support rice farmer household to increase their owned capital, so a more holistic explanation regarding livelihood diversification may be served in the next structural model of study.