ABSTRACT
Residents of rural areas have homogeneous livelihoods. The people of Banyu Urip Village, Central Lombok Regency, live on agricultural products. Farming communities have challenges and difficulties at certain times, namely that they should be able to plant rice two to three times a year to once a year (famine period), bad weather such as difficulty getting water (drought), and the threat of poverty. Therefore, a strategy is needed for the farming community as a solution when entering a difficult time. The purpose of this study is to determine the strategies carried out by farming communities during famine or when facing challenges in meeting economic needs. Farming communities are the unit of analysis in qualitative research with this case study approach. Data from observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation of field findings, was tested for validity through cross-checking the data with data triangulation. The results of this study indicate that the economics of Sasak farmers community in Banyu Urip Village use an intercropping system and certain seeds to deal with the stress period. Good relations between residents prioritize the value of reciprocity, such as banjar activities, hajatan, and multilevel investment. This is the form of farmer rationality and reciprocity as a strategy to meet socioeconomic needs.
