Peran Petani Perempuan Dalam Mendorong Ekonomi Sustainable Development Goals (SGDS) Menuju Kesejahteraan di Kab. Labuhan Batu

Abstract

Improving the welfare of women farmers constitutes a strategic issue in sustainable agricultural development, particularly in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas. Women farmers not only play a role in agricultural production activities but also make significant contributions to household economic decision-making and resource management. This study aims to analyze the effects of women farmers’ roles, health conditions, and access to resources on strengthening SDGs-based economic development and its implications for the welfare of farming households in Labuhan Batu Regency. This research employs a quantitative approach using the Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method. Data were collected through a survey of women farmers actively involved in agricultural activities and household economic management. The research model was designed to examine both direct and indirect relationships among variables, with SDGs-based economic development positioned as a mediating variable. The results indicate that access to resources plays an important role in strengthening SDGs-based economic development; however, it does not directly improve the welfare of farming households. These findings suggest that the availability of resources does not automatically translate into welfare improvement unless it is accompanied by sustainable and inclusive economic mechanisms. Conversely, the roles of women farmers and health conditions are proven to have a direct effect on enhancing household welfare. Furthermore, SDGs-based economic development plays a strategic role in improving welfare and serves as a key mediating pathway linking access to resources, health conditions, and the roles of women farmers to household welfare. These findings underscore that strengthening sustainable, SDGs-based economic development is essential for promoting the long-term welfare of women farmers. This study provides both conceptual and practical contributions to the formulation of inclusive, gender-responsive agricultural development policies aligned with the SDGs agenda at the regional level.