Sustainability amidst pandemic: A qualitative approach on resilience strategies of cut flower farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created problems for farmers as it disrupted sales of cut flowers and the flower tourism sector in Gunungsari Village of East Java, Indonesia. The farmers developed resilient strategies to sustain their flower farming in response to the pandemic. This research aims to: (a) analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic activities of flower farmers and (b) explore the flower farmers' resilience strategies to sustain their flower farming activities remain functional. Methods: The study was conducted from March to July 2020 using a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted via video link and focus group discussions were arranged with the farmers, workers, and other participants associated with the flower business. The study has been conducted in Gunungsari Village, Bumiaji District, and East Java, Indonesia. Results: (a) Several major problems were faced by these flower farmers that affect the cut flower distribution and production and (b) these farmers have developed several resilience strategies internally and externally to address the problem of maintaining the sustainability of rural flower farming. Findings: The findings evaluate the problems cut flower farmers face and highlight the importance of increasing these farmers' postharvest knowledge. Some of the difficulties faced by cut flower farmers are: (a) quality of the flower yields is indeterminate, (b) high price of plants, (c) limited knowledge of postharvest, (d) high cost of a greenhouse, (e) no guarantee of a stable supply, (f) disruption in cut flower demand, (g) brand and packaging issues, and (h) declining economic activities in the village.