Economic Profile and Economic Well-Being Among Rubber Farmers in Muar, Johor

Abstract

This quantitative study aims to examine rubber farmers’ socio-economic profile and economic well-being in Muar Johor, Malaysia. Specifically, the farmers’ level of economic well-being index scores were measured with two indicators: financial well-being and financial management. A total of 192 respondents in Lenga and Pagoh were chosen via purposive sampling. Resultantly, major finding shown that most of small rubber farmers struggled to manage their finances, expenses, budgets, and savings and experienced low-income satisfaction and financial resilience. Small rubber farmers also encountered challenges in generating a sustainable income following their heavy reliance on rubber prices, climate change, and the absence of income diversification opportunities. Given the decrease in rubber commodity prices every few years, economic development programmes, modernisation and technology use, side job opportunities, and access to alternative crops have been initiated to enhance small rubber farmers’ economic well-being.