The Welfare Level of Rice Farmers in the Bengawan Solo Watershed, Indonesia

The welfare of rice farmers in the Bengawan Solo Watershed region is a critical issue, as it reflects the socioeconomic conditions of agrarian communities that depend on the sustainability of natural resources and agricultural productivity. The objective of this research is to analyze how rice farming contributes to household income and overall welfare. This study aims to determine the level of household welfare of rice farmers in the Bengawan Solo Watershed area, Central Java. Sampling was conducted using an unproportional random sampling method on 240 farmers in six districts in Central Java. Data analysis used the Good Service Ratio (GSR), Farmer Household Income Exchange Rate (FHIER), and Farmer Exchange Rate (FER) indicators. The results showed that a GSR value of 0.38 indicates a higher allocation of household expenditure toward non-food needs. Furthermore, an FHIER value of 1.40 indicates that total household income exceeds total household expenditure. However, a FER value of 99.21 indicates that income derived solely from rice farming is insufficient to cover all household expenses. These findings suggest that although rice farming plays an important role in household income, farmer welfare in the Bengawan Solo Watershed remains highly dependent on income diversification and continued productivity improvement, and institutional support.