Sodality: Jurnal Sosiologi Pedesaan

Urban-Rural Exchange for Rice Farming Areas Development: A Case Study of Iketani and Iriyama Villages, Japan

Pandu Purwandaru, Aoki Hironobu, Feng Tien Wei — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:45:50 +0700

Iketani Iriyama is the name of a non-profit organization focusing on revitalizing rural village areas named after two villages in Japan. Potentially, these villages have rice farming culture due to the planting of a special rice called Yamashimizu with a unique natural irrigation method based around melting snow. Apart from the potential that these villages possess, they have a shrinking population. Therefore, the revitalization program was carried out by Iketani Iriyama through an urban-rural exchange approach. This research aims to understand the development pattern through direct interviews, focusing on background analysis, event design process, analysis of sustainability, and evaluation. According to this research, there are two categories of activities designed, which use an urban-rural collaboration approach that considers local potential, both cultural and natural. Internal activities aim to preserve agricultural areas through an ownership system approach and workshop activities related to local culture and facilitating immigrants through housing development. External activities include lectures, seminars, and discussions related to the success stories achieved. In carrying out these activities, there are six supporting aspects support the sustainability of the program, including the economic aspect, immigrants and volunteers, the character of the local community, agricultural potential, ongoing collaboration, and the role of social media.

Land Conversion and Farmer Exclusion: Land Tenure Change and Livelihoods Transformation in Sukamakmur Village, Karawang Regency

Sonia Aini, Ganjar Kurnia, Dianto Bachiardi, Ahmad Choibar Tridakusumah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 08:10:39 +0700

The conversion of agricultural land in Karawang Regency, particularly in Sukamakmur Village, has significantly disrupted farmers' livelihoods. This study examines the socio-economic changes farmers experienced before and after exclusion from their cultivated lands. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were gathered through interviews with ten informants across different land tenure classes, alongside insights from government officials and stakeholders. The findings reveal that policies favoring industrial development, speculative land sales, and inadequate irrigation infrastructure have driven widespread land conversion. These forces compelled farmers to sell their land, resulting in shifts in land ownership, reduced incomes, and altered livelihoods. Many displaced farmers became tenants, sharecroppers, or laborers, while others left agriculture entirely. Low education and skill deficits further hindered their ability to transition to industrial jobs, exacerbating inequality and poverty. This study highlights the systemic marginalization of farmers and calls for policies to protect their rights and promote equitable rural development.

The Implementation of Collaborative Governance in The Literacy Education Empowerment Program Within Indigenous Communities in Lebak Regency

Nisa Indriani, Sumardjo, Ma'mun Sarma — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 08:58:58 +0700

This study examines the implementation of collaborative governance in literacy education empowerment programs within indigenous communities. The collaborative governance approach involves the central government, local government, institutions, and the community. The aim of this research is to describe the collaborative governance in the literacy education empowerment program within indigenous communities and analyze the factors affecting community participation and empowerment. Data was collected through a census, with a sample of 200 learners from three literacy education assistance-receiving institutions in the Indigenous Community. The approach used includes descriptive analysis and data analysis with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The research results indicate that collaborative governance has been established. Significant factors influencing the level of participation in this program are the level of collaboration, environmental support, optimization elements, and the characteristics of the community members. Factors significantly influencing the level of empowerment are the level of collaboration, environmental support, participation, and the characteristics of the community members, while optimization elements do not significantly affect empowerment. The research findings suggest that the program is running fairly well, although there are some challenges such as the availability of infrastructure, the lack of training for tutors, and funding sources solely from the central government budget.