Gambaran Kehidupan Sosial Ekonomi Dan Strategi Pertahanan Hidup Masyarakat Petani Jala Apung (Keramba) (Study Deskriptif Di Kecamatan Baktiraja Kabupaten Humbang Hasundutan)

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Introduction

Climate change has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only land and air but also the world's oceans. The once-harmonious ecosystem is now threatened, and the community in Baktiraja District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, is a stark reminder of this reality. Environmental damage caused by excessive pesticide and chemical use has ravaged the soil, water, and air, putting the population's welfare at risk. The past decade has seen the Baktiraja economy decline due to crop failures and fish virus attacks on Lake Toba, forcing the community, particularly the Floating Farmers (cage), to adapt and find a survival strategy.

The Plight of Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District

The poverty rate in Baktiraja District is alarmingly high, with 70% of the population living below the poverty line, according to participants in Focus Group Discussion (FGD). This figure is slightly higher than the data provided by the Bureau of Statistics (BPS), which reported a poverty rate of 56.36%. The community's struggle to make ends meet is a testament to the resilience of the Floating Farmers, who have developed unique strategies to survive in the face of adversity.

Surviving Strategies: A Closer Look

The Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District have developed innovative strategies to maintain their livelihoods. These strategies can be categorized into three groups: rich farmers, medium/adequate farmers, and poor farmers.

Rich Farmers: Building on Assets

Rich farmers in Baktiraja District rely on their labor assets by involving women and children in family economic activities. They also utilize social capital assets by optimizing health for work and productive assets by opening businesses such as cafes, rice refineries, and food stalls. Social capital assets are also realized through cooperation and social gatherings between people.

Medium/Adequate Farmers: Balancing Assets

Medium/adequate farmers in Baktiraja District employ a similar strategy to rich farmers, with an emphasis on labor assets by involving women and children in selling, farming, and assisting activities in cages. They maximize social capital assets by utilizing health to work and maintain productive assets by utilizing houses for businesses, rice fields for fish and plant nurseries, and raising livestock. They also increase the amount of cage if possible. Social capital assets are realized by holding social gatherings.

Poor Farmers: Relying on Assets

Poor farmers in Baktiraja District rely on labor assets by involving women and children in family economic activities. They maximize social capital assets by utilizing health for work, as well as skills and education to improve work results. They maintain productive assets by utilizing houses, rice fields/fields, and livestock for additional income. Household relationship assets are utilized by relying on networks and support for large families, as well as shipping money. Social capital assets are realized by establishing good relations with tokes and subscriptions.

Understanding Challenges and Opportunities

The results of this study indicate that people in Baktiraja District, especially Floating Farmers, have high fighting power in dealing with difficult conditions. They developed creative and innovative survival strategies by utilizing various resources available. However, some challenges still haunt them, such as limited capital, market access, and knowledge of good fish farming.

Intervention Strategies

To help the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District, the following intervention strategies can be implemented:

Increasing Capital Access

Low-interest loan programs, entrepreneurship training, and micro, small, and medium business development programs (MSMEs) can help farmers increase business capital.

Development of Market Access

Building a joint market, online marketing programs, and cooperation with sales agents can help farmers market the catch better.

Increased Knowledge

Training and counseling programs on environmentally friendly fish farming, postharvest technology, and good cage management can help farmers increase business productivity and efficiency.

Conclusion

By increasing access to capital, markets, and knowledge, it is hoped that people in Baktiraja District can maximize their potential, break away from poverty, and build a better future. This article reviews a picture of the socioeconomic life and defense strategy of the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District, with the hope of being a material for reflection and strategic steps for various parties in supporting the improvement of the welfare of the community in the area.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  • The government and local authorities should provide support to the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District by increasing access to capital, markets, and knowledge.
  • The community should be empowered to take ownership of their development by establishing social capital assets and utilizing household relationship assets.
  • The Floating Farmers should be provided with training and counseling programs on environmentally friendly fish farming, postharvest technology, and good cage management to increase business productivity and efficiency.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District can overcome the challenges they face and build a better future for themselves and their community.

Q&A: Understanding the Socio-Economic Life and Defense Strategy of Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District

In our previous article, we explored the socio-economic life and defense strategy of the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this community.

Q: What is the current poverty rate in Baktiraja District?

A: According to participants in Focus Group Discussion (FGD), the poverty rate in Baktiraja District is 70%. This figure is slightly higher than the data provided by the Bureau of Statistics (BPS), which reported a poverty rate of 56.36%.

Q: What are the main challenges faced by the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District?

A: The main challenges faced by the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District include limited capital, market access, and knowledge of good fish farming. These challenges hinder their ability to increase business productivity and efficiency.

Q: What are the strategies employed by the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District to survive?

A: The Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District employ various strategies to survive, including:

  • Labor assets: Involving women and children in family economic activities
  • Social capital assets: Optimizing health for work and utilizing social capital assets through cooperation and social gatherings
  • Productive assets: Opening businesses such as cafes, rice refineries, and food stalls
  • Household relationship assets: Relying on networks and support for large families, as well as shipping money

Q: What are the intervention strategies that can be implemented to help the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District?

A: The following intervention strategies can be implemented to help the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District:

  • Increasing capital access: Low-interest loan programs, entrepreneurship training, and micro, small, and medium business development programs (MSMEs)
  • Development of market access: Building a joint market, online marketing programs, and cooperation with sales agents
  • Increased knowledge: Training and counseling programs on environmentally friendly fish farming, postharvest technology, and good cage management

Q: What are the recommendations for supporting the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District?

A: The following recommendations are made to support the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District:

  • Empowering the community: Establishing social capital assets and utilizing household relationship assets
  • Providing training and counseling: Training and counseling programs on environmentally friendly fish farming, postharvest technology, and good cage management
  • Increasing access to capital, markets, and knowledge: Providing support to the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District by increasing access to capital, markets, and knowledge

By understanding the socio-economic life and defense strategy of the Floating Farmers in Baktiraja District, we can better support their development and improve their welfare.