Poverty Analysis Of Fishermen Community In Medan Belawan District
Poverty Analysis of Fishermen Communities in Medan Belawan District: Factors of Effect and Prevention Efforts
Introduction
The 1997 economic crisis had a devastating impact on Indonesia, leading to a significant increase in the number of poor people in the country. According to the BPS data in 1998, the poverty rate reached 39.10%, a dramatic increase compared to the previous year. Despite the government's efforts to overcome this problem, poverty remains a prominent issue, particularly in the lowest layer of society. In Medan Belawan District, there are 2,743 poor families, with the most concentrations in Belawan II Village (1,034 families) and the lowest in Belawan Bahari Village (104 families). This study focuses on the poverty analysis of fishermen in the region, with the aim of identifying the factors that influence it and finding solutions to overcome them.
Factors that Influence Fishermen Poverty
This study found that several significant factors affected the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District. The most notable factors include:
Number of Dependents: A Key Factor in Fishermen Poverty
The more family dependents, the greater the needs and expenses, thereby increasing the risk of poverty. This is because fishermen with a large number of dependents require more resources to meet their basic needs, making it challenging for them to escape poverty. In contrast, fishermen with fewer dependents have more resources available to invest in their fishing business, increasing their income potential and reducing the risk of poverty.
Ownership Status of Means of Sea: A Critical Factor in Fishermen Poverty
Fishermen with access to boats and adequate equipment tend to have a higher income potential, reducing the risk of poverty. This is because they are able to fish more efficiently and effectively, increasing their catches and income. In contrast, fishermen without access to boats and equipment are at a significant disadvantage, making it challenging for them to earn a living.
Other factors such as the level of education, access to institutions, and alternative work do not show a significant effect on fishermen's poverty in Medan Belawan District. This suggests that education and alternative work opportunities may not be as effective in reducing poverty among fishermen in this region.
Fishermen's Income Analysis
In addition to the factors that influence poverty, this study also analyzes the factors that influence fishermen's income. The most notable factors include:
Working Capital: A Key Factor in Fishermen's Income
Fishermen with larger working capital can buy better equipment, fuel, and supplies, increase catches and income. This is because they are able to invest in their fishing business, increasing their efficiency and productivity. In contrast, fishermen with limited working capital are unable to invest in their business, making it challenging for them to increase their income.
The Number of Days of Sea: A Critical Factor in Fishermen's Income
The more often the sea, the greater the income potential, but this needs to be balanced with the preservation of marine resources. This is because frequent fishing trips can lead to overfishing, depleting fish stocks and reducing the income potential of fishermen. In contrast, fishermen who fish less frequently may have lower income potential, but they are also less likely to contribute to overfishing.
Other variables such as the cost of fishing per day and the number of labor do not show a significant effect on fishermen's income. This suggests that the cost of fishing and the number of labor may not be as critical in determining fishermen's income in Medan Belawan District.
Efforts to Reduce Fishermen Poverty
Based on the results of the analysis, several efforts that can be made to overcome the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District are:
Increasing Access to Working Capital
The provision of low-interest business credit, entrepreneurship training programs, and the development of fishermen's cooperatives can help increase access to capital for fishermen. This can enable them to invest in their fishing business, increasing their efficiency and productivity.
Improving the Quality of Facilities and Infrastructure
Boat and equipment assistance programs, as well as improvement of port and fish market infrastructure, can increase the efficiency and productivity of fishermen. This can enable them to fish more effectively and sell their catches at a higher price.
Educational and Training Program
Fishermen's skills training program, as well as education for fishermen children, can help improve their economic knowledge and opportunities. This can enable them to make informed decisions about their fishing business and increase their income potential.
Alternative Economic Development
Empowerment of Fishermen in Sea Product Processing Business, Fisheries Aquaculture, and Tourism Sector, can open up new economic opportunities and reduce dependence on catches. This can enable fishermen to diversify their income streams and reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in the fishing industry.
Conclusion
The poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District is influenced by several factors, especially the number of dependents and ownership status of going to sea. Efforts to overcome them must focus on increasing access to working capital, the quality of facilities and infrastructure, education and training, as well as alternative economic development. With an integrated and sustainable approach, it is expected to improve the welfare of fishermen in Medan Belawan District and reduce poverty in the region.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Increase access to working capital: Provide low-interest business credit, entrepreneurship training programs, and develop fishermen's cooperatives to increase access to capital for fishermen.
- Improve the quality of facilities and infrastructure: Assist fishermen with boat and equipment, and improve port and fish market infrastructure to increase efficiency and productivity.
- Implement educational and training programs: Provide fishermen's skills training program, as well as education for fishermen children, to improve their economic knowledge and opportunities.
- Promote alternative economic development: Empower fishermen in sea product processing business, fisheries aquaculture, and tourism sector to open up new economic opportunities and reduce dependence on catches.
By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District can be reduced, and their welfare improved.
Frequently Asked Questions: Poverty Analysis of Fishermen Communities in Medan Belawan District
Q: What is the main objective of this study?
A: The main objective of this study is to analyze the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District, identify the factors that influence it, and find solutions to overcome them.
Q: What are the key factors that influence fishermen poverty in Medan Belawan District?
A: The key factors that influence fishermen poverty in Medan Belawan District are the number of dependents and ownership status of going to sea. Fishermen with a large number of dependents and limited access to boats and equipment are more likely to be poor.
Q: What is the significance of working capital in fishermen's income?
A: Working capital is a critical factor in fishermen's income. Fishermen with larger working capital can buy better equipment, fuel, and supplies, increase catches and income.
Q: How can fishermen's poverty be reduced?
A: Fishermen's poverty can be reduced by increasing access to working capital, improving the quality of facilities and infrastructure, implementing educational and training programs, and promoting alternative economic development.
Q: What are the benefits of alternative economic development for fishermen?
A: Alternative economic development can open up new economic opportunities and reduce dependence on catches. This can enable fishermen to diversify their income streams and reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in the fishing industry.
Q: How can fishermen's cooperatives be developed to increase access to capital?
A: Fishermen's cooperatives can be developed by providing low-interest business credit, entrepreneurship training programs, and other forms of support to enable fishermen to access capital and invest in their fishing business.
Q: What is the role of education and training in reducing fishermen's poverty?
A: Education and training can help improve fishermen's economic knowledge and opportunities. This can enable them to make informed decisions about their fishing business and increase their income potential.
Q: How can the quality of facilities and infrastructure be improved to support fishermen?
A: The quality of facilities and infrastructure can be improved by providing assistance with boat and equipment, and improving port and fish market infrastructure to increase efficiency and productivity.
Q: What are the implications of this study for policymakers and stakeholders?
A: The findings of this study have implications for policymakers and stakeholders who are working to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of fishermen in Medan Belawan District. They can use the results of this study to inform their policies and programs and make more effective decisions.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the limited scope of the analysis. Future studies can build on the findings of this study and provide more comprehensive and nuanced insights into the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District.
Q: What are the future research directions for this study?
A: Future research directions for this study include exploring the impact of climate change on fishermen's poverty, examining the role of technology in improving fishermen's income, and investigating the effectiveness of different policy interventions in reducing fishermen's poverty.
Q: What are the policy implications of this study?
A: The policy implications of this study include the need for policymakers to prioritize the development of fishermen's cooperatives, improve the quality of facilities and infrastructure, and promote alternative economic development to reduce fishermen's poverty.
Q: What are the recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers?
A: The recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers include increasing access to working capital, improving the quality of facilities and infrastructure, implementing educational and training programs, and promoting alternative economic development to reduce fishermen's poverty.
By addressing these frequently asked questions, we hope to provide a better understanding of the poverty of fishermen in Medan Belawan District and the factors that influence it.