Rural Sociology

Research on rural sociology focuses on studying the socio-economic problems of rural farming communities, both farmers and people who depend on the agricultural sector. Some of the research that has been conducted is a study of innovation in society, community empowerment, social engineering, and others. These are some research conducted by Rural Sociology group:

STUDY ON THE INNOVATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL EMPOWERMENT MODEL IN THE AGRO-TOURISM AREA IN SPECIAL REGION OF YOGYAKARTA

Indonesia is an agricultural country; however, in recent years (2012 to 2015), the total rice field area has decreased to a level of 0.48%. Nowadays, in some areas, attractive agro-tourism has developed and become a tourist destination, as it also occurred in Yogyakarta, a city of education and tourism. The development of agro-tourism has multiple benefits because, in addition to better preservation and maintenance of agricultural land, it also provides additional income to villagers around tourist areas and the growth of home industries in both culinary and non-culinary forms.

The second year’s research objective is to create innovative models of community and institutional empowerment in environmental preservation through agro-tourism. This study has specific objectives: (1) creating community-based agro-tourism development innovations, (2) community empowerment models in agro-tourism areas for community welfare, and (3) developing community-based agro-tourism institutions. This study used a survey method by taking many samples, combined and supported by qualitative data obtained by the In-Depth Interview on Key Person and Focus Group Discussion.

This study found that local village communities have carried out agro-tourism development innovation, local villagers’ readiness as village agro-tourism hosts, and the existence of community institutions related to agro-tourism development. It is suggested that an effective community empowerment model involves local community institutions to support the development of agro-tourism and environmental conservation. A clear institutional structure from the district level to the lowest institution, namely the neighborhood unit (RT), is under the Tourism Office’s coordination.

INNOVATION IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL EMPOWERMENT MODEL IN PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH AGRO-TOURISM

SOCIAL ENGINEERING FOR THE UTILIZATION OF LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SAMBIREJO VILLAGE, NGAWEN DISTRICT, GUNUNGKIDUL REGENCY

The yield of agricultural commodities, which are dominated by dry land crops, affects the community’s consumption habits and gives birth to the characteristics of the type of food, commonly known as local food. The characteristics and characteristics that arise from the existence of local food can be captured as an opportunity in the productive economic development of the community of Sambirejo Village. This study focuses on the social engineering of local food use to develop a productive economy in Sambirejo Village. 2018 is the first year of research, by identifying and analyzing community and institutional problems in the field of productive economic development through the use of local food and conducting a SWOT analysis as a basis for consideration for creating social engineering innovations in the use of local food in the development of a productive economy. The research method used is a qualitative research method with a case study approach.

This research was conducted in Sambirejo Village with the primary informants, namely villagers and related stakeholders, supporting informants. The types of data analyzed came from observations and interviews in primary and secondary data. Data analysis was performed using triangulation and qualitative analysis, namely data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The development of local food in Sambirejo Village is still directed at increasing household income through local processed-food agribusiness. Apart from abundant local natural resources, the local government’s support has made the community’s businesses developed optimally. Some of the challenges faced in developing local food in this area are the availability of raw materials that must be purchased from outside the village and farmers’ slow regeneration. It will also lead to reduced raw materials produced in the village in the future. On the other hand, family support is also needed for homemakers in running this business.

The government’s efforts to support local food in Sambirejo Village include conducting skills training in processing local food, making business licenses, and establishing Prime Village Institutions to support these activities’ promotion and funding. Another difficulty the existing processing industry faces is obtaining a Home Industry Production (PIRT) permit for processing local food products, both the difficulty in meeting the requirements and the lack of direct and indirect family support. In the end, even though they joined Prime Village, these members produced their products without involving others. The competition between them will cause internal conflicts, especially when their product output is the same. Through the Prime Village Institution, the local government collectively creates a single brand with the same quality and quantity standards.

INNOVATION CREATION OF THE UTILIZATION OF LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SAMBIREJO VILLAGE, NGAWEN DISTRICT, GUNUNGKIDUL REGENCY

The yield of agricultural commodities, which are dominated by dry land plants, affects the community’s consumption habits and gives birth to specific food characteristics. These location-specific characteristics are commonly referred to as local food. There are many local food types such as chips and other dry snacks in Gunung Kidul and other areas, so innovation must be introduced to sustain the business. Through Prima Village, Sambirejo Village has innovated the use of local food in developing a productive economy. This study’s objectives were to: (1) identify innovations that can be developed to use local food to develop a productive economy, and (2) examine the role of Prima Village in supporting the development of a productive economy in Sambirejo Village. The qualitative method with a case study approach is employed in this study. This research was conducted in Sambirejo Village with the primary informants, namely villagers and related stakeholders, supporting informants. Data analysis was performed using triangulation and qualitative analysis.

The results showed that (1) the application of product standardization and strengthening the role of the Prime Village Group leads to innovation in using local food in the productive economic development of the Sambirejo Village community; (2) product standardization has been carried out in the process of preparing raw materials, processing raw materials, packaging, and final products in the form of processed local food. Each standard has different conditions from one product to another. This standardization is determined based on the experiences of members of the Prime Village Group after practicing the manufacture of processed products with local food ingredients; (3) the Prime Village Group becomes a vehicle for its members to learn through discussion and exchange of information and experiences in determining the appropriate standard for processing products.

Further results include (4) creating rules for standardization of local processed-food products to support productive economic development based on the mutual agreement through the Prime Village Group. The product standard rules can determine the recipe and type of packaging; (5) village government support for the development of Prime Village Group business activities can be seen from allocating BUMDES funds for sustainable SME-based local food processing businesses. In this collaboration, the group’s processed products will be displayed and traded in a showroom managed by BUMDES. Finally (6), it showed that many stakeholders were involved in creating innovation in Sambirejo Village. The stakeholders are Village Head, Sambirejo Village Agricultural Extension Officers, Gunungkidul Regency Agriculture Service, Gunungkidul Regency Industry and Trade Service, Sambirejo Gapoktan, BRI Microfinance Center, Cooperative Office, and The Health Office. The Tourism Office and Kominfo will be involved soon.

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