The Phenomenon of Changes in Social Relationship Patterns and Eating Habits That Occurred in the Eucalyptus Oil Farmer Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Eucalyptus oil farmers in Buru Regency, Indonesia, are concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak. Various unfavour-able situations endanger society's social economy and impair social ties in their socio-cultural existence. This study uses pre-existing social networks and eating habits to examine eucalyptus oil growers' everyday survival efforts. The method is qualitative and phenomenological. Examine informant data using three criteria: eucalyptus oil growers, non-farmers who own land, and non-farmers who buy oil from farmers or landowners. The study found that the epi-demic has rationalized long-standing social networks and forced eucalyptus oil farmers to forgo subsistence and adopt a more functional rhythm. Suspicion, instability, and mutual suspicion result from reasonable interactions, cre-ating conflict. When the epidemic compels eucalyptus oil farmers to conform, emotional bonds erode. This study also changed eating habits to prioritize "availability and availability" over local culture. Eucalyptus oil farmers' rational con-sumption choices led to a shift from conventional to rational.

Keywords: eat; eucalyptus oil; network; pandemic; farmer

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/15-5-02

Publication date: June 30th 2024