Cassava Villages: A Marker of Deagrarianization and Agrarian Change in Rural West Java (Sukaraja Village)

Abstract

Deagrarianization in rural areas of West Java represents a profound structural transformation affecting agrarian production systems, labor allocation, and community livelihood strategies. This study examines how the reduction of agricultural land and land-use conversion into cassava plantation areas reshape rural livelihood dynamics and undermine the sustainability of farming communities. Conducted in a predominantly agricultural village in West Java  one of Indonesia’s principal rice-producing regions this research employs a qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews, field observations, and analysis of relevant secondary data. Data were processed using an interactive analytical model, supported by the Community Pentagon framework to assess ecological, economic, social, institutional, and technological dimensions of change. The findings reveal that cassava plantation is an indicator of agricultural agrarian chance that has led not only to a measurable decline in the number of active farmers but also to shifts in production patterns, reduced labor absorption in the agricultural sector, and increasing dependence on non-farm employment. Beyond occupational diversification, deagrarianization manifests as a systemic process that weakens agrarian capacities, disrupts intergenerational farmer regeneration, and alters the social fabric of rural communities. These transformations indicate that rural livelihood changes are embedded within broader structural pressures, including urbanization and regional economic development. The study underscores the urgency of policy interventions aimed at protecting productive farmland, strengthening institutional support, enhancing farmer regeneration, and promoting sustainable livelihood strategies to ensure the long-term resilience of rural agrarian systems.