Social Capital as A Pathway to Well-Being: A Study of The Cibulao Hijau Forest Farmer Group

Social capital was one of the key factors in the development process, as it emerged from social relationships and, when collectively utilized, could influence the level of well-being. Well-being in this context did not only refer to material needs but also encompassed spiritual and social aspects. This study generally aimed to analyze the relationship between the level of social capital functionality and the well-being of members of the Cibulao Hijau Forest Farmer Group. The study involved 35 group members selected using a simple random sampling technique. A quantitative approach was employed, supported by qualitative data. Data were collected through questionnaire distribution, in-depth interviews, observation, and literature review. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation test. The results showed a significant correlation—categorized as moderate—between the functionality of social capital and the well-being level of group members. These findings indicated that the functionality of social capital served as one of the crucial indicators in determining the well-being level of the Cibulao Hijau Forest Farmer Group

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

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

Back Matter

Back Matte

Product and Institutional Development of Gambier Agricultural Markets in Rural Indonesia: A Case Study of Nagari Pangkalan, Sumatra Barat Province

Gambier is a speciality agricultural product in Sumatra Barat Province, Indonesia. Gambier farming has improved the community economy and rural development. The problem is that the gambier products produced are still raw materials, the quality is low, and the market for gambier is not perfect. So far, there have been no real solutions and policies from stakeholders to overcome these problems. This study aims to find solutions in product development and institutional improvement of the gambier market. This research uses a qualitative method. The case study is in Nagari Pangkalan, one of the centres of gambier farming in Sumatra Barat.  The results showed that it is important to develop gambier products in the form of catechins and tannins in Nagari Pangkalan. The high price of catechins and tannins can increase farmers' income. It is necessary to build a gambier agribusiness centre by involving farmer groups, cooperatives and the government in Nagari Pangkalan. The Gambier Agribusiness Centre will reduce the dominance of gatherers and increase the role of cooperatives in the gambier market. The government designs regulations related to gambier exports by involving cooperatives. The export of gambier through cooperatives will shorten the marketing flow of gambier and benefit gambier farmers more. A gambier market that benefits farmers will indirectly help the economy and rural development

Innovating Community Engagement: Onte’s Proposal on Five-Stage Progressive and Sustainable Model for Inclusive Development in Indonesia

Stakeholder engagement has increasingly become a central theme in a development discourse; however, its implementation often remains fragmented and superficial due to the conceptual and methodological inadequacies. This gap is the strongest motivation of this research, which aims to build a model of progressive and sustainable community engagement through community-based economic institutional collaboration. Employing a heuristic approach, this model synthesizes empirical insights from several community-based activities to develop a conceptual framework that supports inclusive development through economic institutional collaboration. The five fundamental stages that make up this model include: (1) social investigation as the baseline information gathering; (2) social mapping to portray actors and their influence in the community; (3) vision-building to articulate a common dream; (4) establishment of community-based business institutions; and (5) collaboration between community business institutions and the government in the form of secondary cooperatives. This model emphasizes the process of extracting accurate and reliable information from the community, exploring potential of sustainable livelihood, and accompanying in every activity until it ultimately increases the dignity of the community from being a stakeholder to a shareholder. It also addresses common causes of cooperative failure by institutionalizing a community partnership with the local government. The proposed model contributes methodologically to participatory development practices and provides a strategic framework for fostering durable, bottom-up institutional transformation in Indonesia and beyond

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

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 the Marine Spatial Plan on the Identity and Rights of the Berakit Orang Suku Laut Community in Bintan Regency, Riau Islands

This study examine the efforts of the Bintan Regency government to relocate the Sea Nomad or Orang Suku Laut (OSL) community through the Marine Spatial Plan policy, focusing on the positive and negative impacts of this relocation on their rights and cultural identity. Employing a qualitative approach, the research investigates the implementation and impacts of the Marine Spatial Plan using data collected through in-depth interviews, observations and documentations. Findings reveal that the government strategies often rely on persuasive approaches, leveraging the proximity of the OSL’s traditional marine territory to Panglong village. By 2011, resettlement initiatives encompassed 60 families, accompanied by disciplinary administrative measures like record-keeping of ID registration and residence requirement of 5-10 years in Panglong village for housing eligibility. These measures, however, have significantly erroded the cultural identity of the OSL, distancing young generation from their maritime attachment. While the government policy seeks to assimilate the OSL to Malay communities, it poses a threat to the preservation of their authentic marine culture and contradict their right to self-determination as an indigenous people. The study underscores the importance of involving the OSL in Marine Spatial Planning, highlighting their traditional knowledge as a critical resource for achieving inclusive and sustainable development

The Function of Saniri as a Means of Controlling Village Development

The saniri institution is a traditional governance body in Maluku, particularly in Central Maluku, responsible for formulating village (negeri) programs, drafting regulations, electing the village head (raja), and overseeing the negeri government’s implementation of development initiatives. Despite its long-standing role and adherence by indigenous communities, concerns have emerged regarding its effectiveness in governance oversight. This study examines the implementation of the saniri’s control function in overseeing development projects in Lumoli Negeri, West Seram Regency. Employing qualitative research methods, findings reveal that the community, as represented by key informants, expresses dissatisfaction with the saniri’s supervisory role. Many perceive that development efforts have failed to meet expectations due to the saniri’s lack of oversight, resulting in underutilized infrastructure and facilities. This study seeks to identify the underlying factors that hinder the saniri’s ability to perform its control function and explore strategies to strengthen its governance role. Enhancing the saniri institution's effectiveness is crucial to ensuring that village development initiatives are successfully implemented and fully utilized by the community

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

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

Frankincense Versus Eucalyptus: A Struggle for Forest Resources Access in Pandumaan-Sipituhuta, North Sumatra

Negara menetapkan kawasan hutan di Kabupaten Humbang Hasundutan sebagai hutan produksi dan memberikan hak penguasaannya kepada PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) untuk menanam eukaliptus. Pada areal yang sama merupakan wilayah kelola masyarakat adat Pandumaan-Sipituhuta yang memanfaatkan hutan untuk menyadap getah kemenyan (haminjon). Tumpang tindih klaim atas hutan menyebabkan hutan menjadi arena kontestasi antar aktor (negara-perusahaan versus masyarakat). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis bentuk-bentuk power yang dimiliki oleh para aktor dalam memperebutkan sumber daya hutan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data kualitatif melalui metode wawancara mendalam dan didukung oleh studi literatur. Sementara teknik pengumpulan data kuantitatif melalui metode survei menggunakan kuesioner. Hasil penelitian menunjukan negara memiliki power yang dibangun berdasarkan modal budaya berupa otoritas dalam melakukan politik teritorialisasi kawasan hutan. PT. TPL memiliki power berdasarkan modal ekonomi yang digunakan untuk membangun hubungan mutualistik dengan negara melalui pembayaran pajak. Sementara masyarakat memiliki power berdasarkan modal sosial melalui relasi dengan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat dan elit politik lokal. Bentuk-bentuk power yang dimiliki dan relasi kuasa yang dibangun oleh masyarakat menjadi modal bagi mereka untuk mendapatkan pengakuan atas hak-haknya sebagai masyarakat adat.This study investigates the contested access to forest resources between Indigenous communities and corporate actors in Pandumaan-Sipituhuta, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra. The Indonesian government has designated the area as production forest and granted forest management rights to a private company for eucalyptus plantation development. However, this area is also traditionally managed by the Pandumaan-Sipituhuta Indigenous Peoples, who rely on it for harvesting frankincense resin (haminjon). The overlap in-land claim has triggered a protracted struggle over access, wherein the state and company actors are positioned against the Indigenous community. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study draws on in-depth interviews with ten key informants to examine the mechanisms of power and contestation among actors. The findings reveal that each party employs different forms of power to secure access: the company relies on legal-rational authority and economic capital – particularly through formal concessions and tax payments – while the Indigenous community mobilizes social capital and networks, including alliances with NGOs and local political figures, to assert customary rights. The study concludes that diverging interests among forest stakeholders and the procedural complexity of legal recognition pose significant barriers to the formal acknowledgment of Indigenous rights over ancestral forests