Livelihood strategy of coastal households during covid-19 pandemic: Case study in Wermaktian District, Tanimbar Islands Regency

Abstract

This research aims to analyze coastal households' livelihood strategy in coping with the covid-19 pandemic, especially for the households who live by coastal forest in Wermaktian District, Tanimbar Islands Regency. Research is conducted at two villages, namely Marantutul Village and Batuputih Village. These villages are selected because the households in that village undergo both farming and fishery activities. The sample is determined purposively, involving 60 households with 30 households taken from each village. The research shows that households who live by coastal forest have used several strategies for fulfilling household necessities during the covid-19 pandemic. Those strategies are classified into three categories, respectively on-farm (intensifying farming works), non-farm (working at lumber industry), and off-farm (as a trader). Working in the lumber industry has the biggest contribution to household income, which is 53 percents. The remaining percentage is contributed by copra commodity, crops, fishery, and household services.