Title: The assessment on the livelihood sustainability of tea smallholders in Central Java Province, Indonesia

Authors: Megita Ryanjani Tanuputri; Hu Bai

Addresses: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Ehime University, Ehime – 7908566, Japan; Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta – 55281, Indonesia ' The Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Ehime – 7908566, Japan

Abstract: Tea agribusiness contributes on the rural community development in Indonesia. However, it is recently losing its competitiveness in the global market due to low productivity and quality, while the uncertainties of livelihood sustainability influence smallholders' effort to overcome those problems. This study aims to comprehend and assess the livelihood of tea smallholders in the rural area of Central Java Province by considering the inherent complexities of poverty. Moreover, this analytical study was conducted on four regency areas. The value chain analysis, business process analysis and sustainable livelihood framework were elaborated based on in-depth interview with the respondents. This study reveals that smallholders' livelihood outcomes are remaining in the basic level to satisfy their basic needs, showing that economic sustainability on tea smallholders is an obstacle to deliberately achieve social and environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study reinforced that collaboration, coordination and participation among the stakeholders help to strengthen the overall supply chain.

Keywords: Indonesian tea; tea smallholders; livelihood assessment; sustainable livelihood; tea supply chain; Indonesia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFEM.2023.136348

International Journal of Forensic Engineering and Management, 2023 Vol.1 No.3, pp.225 - 241

Received: 24 Feb 2021
Accepted: 29 May 2021
Published online: 31 Jan 2024 *

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