Changes in Agricultural Practices

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 88 views

Introduction

Kuta Rayat Village, located in the area affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, has been the subject of a study that aims to explore how the people of this village adapt after natural disasters. The study, titled "Social Adaptation Strategy for the Community of Kuta Rayat Village after the Natural Disaster of Mount Sinabung," seeks to understand the ways in which individuals or groups take in managing the resources they have to face the challenges that arise as a result of social, cultural, economic, and ecological changes in their environment.

Understanding Social Adaptation

Social adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to changes in one's environment, whether it be due to natural disasters, economic shifts, or cultural transformations. In the context of Kuta Rayat Village, social adaptation is crucial for the community's survival and recovery after the Mount Sinabung disaster. The study aims to describe various adaptation strategies implemented by the people of Kuta Rayat Village after the disaster, with a focus on understanding the social, cultural, economic, and ecological factors that influence their adaptation.

Methodology

The study employed a qualitative research approach with a descriptive method. This approach allowed the researchers to gather in-depth data on the adaptation strategies implemented by the people of Kuta Rayat Village, providing a rich understanding of the community's experiences and perspectives.

Data Collection

The researchers collected data through a combination of interviews, observations, and document analysis. The interviews were conducted with community members, including farmers, village leaders, and other stakeholders, to gather information on their experiences and perceptions of the adaptation strategies implemented by the community.

Results

The study found that the community of Kuta Rayat Village implemented several effective social adaptation strategies after the disaster. One of the key strategies was to take on jobs as farm laborers (ngaron) to meet daily needs. Before the disaster, most of the population depended on their own agricultural land, but after the disaster, they were forced to find other forms of work to survive.

Farm Laborers (Ngaron)

The study found that many community members took on jobs as farm laborers to supplement their income. This strategy allowed them to meet their daily needs and provide for their families. The farm laborers worked on other people's land, earning a wage that helped them to survive.

Farmer Economic Groups

In addition to taking on jobs as farm laborers, the people of Kuta Rayat Village also formed farmer economic groups or farmer groups. These groups provided a platform for farmers to learn about new types of plants, participate in mutual cooperation activities, and provide financial assistance between members.

Benefits of Farmer Economic Groups

The study found that the farmer economic groups provided several benefits to the community. These benefits included:

Increased social network: The groups strengthened the social network among farmers, providing a sense of community and support.
Improved farming ability: The groups provided training and education on new types of plants, improving the farming ability of community members.
Financial assistance: The groups provided financial assistance to members, helping them to overcome financial challenges.

Investment in Children's Education

The people of Kuta Rayat Village also showed a commitment to improving the quality of life through investment in children's education. They realized that good education would provide better opportunities for future generations.

Importance of Education

The study found that education was crucial for the community's long-term survival and recovery. The villagers recognized that education would provide their children with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Changes in Agricultural Practices

In the context of agriculture, the villagers made changes to the type of plants that were in accordance with post-eruption environmental conditions. For example, they switched from planting oranges to coffee plants, which are now the main commodity.

Benefits of Coffee Plants

The study found that coffee plants provided several benefits to the community. These benefits included:

Increased income: Coffee plants provided a new source of income for the community, helping them to overcome financial challenges.
Improved economic sustainability: The coffee plants helped to improve the economic sustainability of the community, providing a stable source of income.

Relationship with Middlemen

In terms of the economy, the community also explored the relationship with middlemen as a source of capital loans for farming. In this agreement, agricultural products obtained must be sold to middlemen who lend the money.

Benefits of Middlemen

The study found that the relationship with middlemen provided several benefits to the community. These benefits included:

Access to capital: The middlemen provided access to capital for farming, helping the community to overcome financial challenges.
Mutually beneficial cooperation: The relationship with middlemen was mutually beneficial, providing a stable source of income for the community.

Conclusion

The social adaptation strategy carried out by the people of Kuta Rayat Village after the Mount Sinabung disaster provides an interesting picture of community power. Social resilience reflected in their efforts to adapt shows that people can rise from adversity by building solidarity and strengthening their capacity.

Lessons for Disaster Mitigation and Social Recovery

The study provides valuable lessons for disaster mitigation and social recovery policies. The community's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions highlights the importance of community-based approaches to disaster recovery.

Recommendations

Based on the study's findings, the following recommendations are made:

Investment in education: The community should continue to invest in education, providing children with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Development of farmer economic groups: The community should continue to develop farmer economic groups, providing a platform for farmers to learn about new types of plants and participate in mutual cooperation activities.
Relationship with middlemen: The community should continue to explore the relationship with middlemen, providing access to capital for farming and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

By implementing these recommendations, the community of Kuta Rayat Village can continue to adapt to changing environmental conditions, ensuring their long-term survival and recovery.

Q: What is social adaptation, and how does it relate to the community of Kuta Rayat Village?

A: Social adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to changes in one's environment, whether it be due to natural disasters, economic shifts, or cultural transformations. In the context of Kuta Rayat Village, social adaptation is crucial for the community's survival and recovery after the Mount Sinabung disaster.

Q: What were some of the key strategies implemented by the community of Kuta Rayat Village after the disaster?

A: The community implemented several effective social adaptation strategies, including taking on jobs as farm laborers (ngaron) to meet daily needs, forming farmer economic groups or farmer groups to learn about new types of plants and participate in mutual cooperation activities, and investing in children's education to improve the quality of life.

Q: How did the farmer economic groups benefit the community?

A: The farmer economic groups provided several benefits to the community, including increased social network, improved farming ability, and financial assistance. These benefits helped to strengthen the social network among farmers, improve their farming ability, and provide financial assistance to members.

Q: Why was education important for the community of Kuta Rayat Village?

A: Education was crucial for the community's long-term survival and recovery. The villagers recognized that good education would provide their children with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Q: What changes did the community make to their agricultural practices after the disaster?

A: The community made changes to the type of plants that were in accordance with post-eruption environmental conditions. For example, they switched from planting oranges to coffee plants, which are now the main commodity.

Q: How did the community's relationship with middlemen benefit them?

A: The relationship with middlemen provided several benefits to the community, including access to capital for farming and mutually beneficial cooperation. The middlemen provided access to capital for farming, helping the community to overcome financial challenges, and the relationship was mutually beneficial, providing a stable source of income for the community.

Q: What lessons can be learned from the community of Kuta Rayat Village's social adaptation strategy?

A: The study provides valuable lessons for disaster mitigation and social recovery policies. The community's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions highlights the importance of community-based approaches to disaster recovery.

Q: What recommendations can be made based on the study's findings?

A: Based on the study's findings, the following recommendations are made:

Investment in education: The community should continue to invest in education, providing children with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Development of farmer economic groups: The community should continue to develop farmer economic groups, providing a platform for farmers to learn about new types of plants and participate in mutual cooperation activities.
Relationship with middlemen: The community should continue to explore the relationship with middlemen, providing access to capital for farming and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

By implementing these recommendations, the community of Kuta Rayat Village can continue to adapt to changing environmental conditions, ensuring their long-term survival and recovery.