The Role Of Farmers' Mass Organizations In The Political Education Of The Farmers In Indonesia (Case Study: STPHL-AGRA Farmers Mass Organization, Padang Halaban, Aek Kuo District, Labuhan Batu Utara Regency)

Feb 28, 2025 by ADMIN 208 views

The Role of Farmers' Mass Organizations in the Political Education of the Farmers in Indonesia: Case Study of STPHL-AGRA, Padang Halaban, Labuhan Batu Utara

Background

In the vast and diverse landscape of Indonesia, the peasants play a vital role in the country's economy and social fabric. However, their political awareness and understanding of their rights have been a long-standing concern. This has led to the emergence of various farmer mass organizations, such as the North Sumatra Agrarian Reform Movement (AGRA) alliance, which aim to organize political education for its members. AGRA, a mass organization of farmers who have been active in various parts of Indonesia, has been striving to unite the farmers in a joint struggle forum and provide them with the necessary tools to fight for their rights.

The case study presented in this article focuses on the role of AGRA in political education in Padang Halaban Village, Aek Kuo District, Labuhan Batu Utara Regency. This village was chosen due to its low condition of farming community education, which has a direct impact on their political awareness. AGRA seeks to fill this vacuum by providing political education that is adapted to the level of understanding of farmers, encouraging their political participation, and triggering awareness of their rights.

Research Methods

This study employs a case study design and interview methods as primary data collection techniques. The data was analyzed by referring to the theory of political education by Kartini Kartono and Kartaprawira Rusadi, the theory of political economy by Karl Marx (including commodity theory, wage theory, and class theory), as well as social movement theory. The use of these theories provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between social, economic, and political factors that affect the peasants in Padang Halaban Village.

Analysis of the Role of AGRA in Political Education

AGRA, through its political education program, plays an important role in increasing the political awareness of the farmers in the village of Padang Halaban. This program is carried out with methods and stages that are tailored to farmers' understanding, including:

Increasing Political Awareness:

AGRA encourages farmers to understand the social, economic, and political conditions that affect their lives.
This is achieved through a series of workshops, training sessions, and community meetings where farmers are educated on their rights and the importance of political participation.

Economic Empowerment:

AGRA helps farmers improve their skills and knowledge in agricultural management through training and assistance.
This enables farmers to improve their standard of living and become more self-sufficient.

Strengthening Solidarity:

AGRA encourages the formation of farmer groups and strengthens a sense of solidarity among members.
This helps farmers in dealing with various problems, both individually and collectively.

Advocacy and Struggle:

AGRA acts as a forum to fight for farmers' rights and interests, including access to land, water, and technology.
This is achieved through a series of campaigns, protests, and negotiations with government officials and other stakeholders.

Relationship of Agrarian Conflict with Social, Economic, and Political Conditions

Agrarian conflict in Padang Halaban Village is the main focus of research. This study shows that the conflict is closely related to unbalanced social, economic, and political conditions.

Social Inequality:

Large social inequality between capital owners and farmers causes injustice in access to resources and profits.
This leads to a situation where farmers are exploited and marginalized.

Economic Exploitation:

Farmers are often victims of economic exploitation by capital owners, which result in poverty and dependence.
This is achieved through the use of unfair labor practices, low wages, and poor working conditions.

Political Power:

Uneven political power and tends to benefit certain groups to create inequality and hamper farmers' efforts to fight for their rights.
This is achieved through the use of coercion, intimidation, and manipulation.

Conclusion

AGRA, through its political education program, has played an important role in increasing the political awareness of the peasants in the village of Padang Halaban. This program helps farmers understand their rights, strengthen solidarity, and encourage their political participation. However, challenges are still faced, especially in overcoming agrarian conflicts triggered by social, economic, and political imbalances.

This study provides recommendations to strengthen the role of AGRA in political education, advocacy, and organizing farmers. This is important to fight for social and economic justice for the peasants in Indonesia, as well as creating a just and prosperous society.

Recommendations

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

Strengthen the role of AGRA in political education: AGRA should continue to provide political education to farmers, focusing on increasing their awareness of their rights and the importance of political participation.
Improve economic empowerment: AGRA should provide training and assistance to farmers to improve their skills and knowledge in agricultural management.
Strengthen solidarity: AGRA should encourage the formation of farmer groups and strengthen a sense of solidarity among members.
Advocacy and struggle: AGRA should continue to act as a forum to fight for farmers' rights and interests, including access to land, water, and technology.
Address social, economic, and political imbalances: AGRA should work to address the social, economic, and political imbalances that contribute to agrarian conflict in Padang Halaban Village.

By implementing these recommendations, AGRA can play a more effective role in promoting the rights and interests of farmers in Indonesia, and contributing to the creation of a just and prosperous society.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Role of Farmers' Mass Organizations in the Political Education of the Farmers in Indonesia

Q: What is the main objective of the study?

A: The main objective of the study is to examine the role of farmers' mass organizations, specifically AGRA, in the political education of farmers in Indonesia, with a focus on the case study of Padang Halaban Village, Aek Kuo District, Labuhan Batu Utara Regency.

Q: What is the significance of the study?

A: The study is significant because it highlights the importance of political education in increasing the awareness and understanding of farmers' rights, and promoting their political participation. It also provides insights into the challenges faced by farmers in Indonesia and the role of farmers' mass organizations in addressing these challenges.

Q: What are the key findings of the study?

A: The key findings of the study include:

AGRA plays an important role in increasing the political awareness of farmers in Padang Halaban Village.
The political education program of AGRA is tailored to the level of understanding of farmers, and includes methods and stages that are adapted to their needs.
The program helps farmers understand their rights, strengthen solidarity, and encourage their political participation.
Agrarian conflict in Padang Halaban Village is closely related to unbalanced social, economic, and political conditions.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The recommendations of the study include:

Strengthen the role of AGRA in political education: AGRA should continue to provide political education to farmers, focusing on increasing their awareness of their rights and the importance of political participation.
Improve economic empowerment: AGRA should provide training and assistance to farmers to improve their skills and knowledge in agricultural management.
Strengthen solidarity: AGRA should encourage the formation of farmer groups and strengthen a sense of solidarity among members.
Advocacy and struggle: AGRA should continue to act as a forum to fight for farmers' rights and interests, including access to land, water, and technology.
Address social, economic, and political imbalances: AGRA should work to address the social, economic, and political imbalances that contribute to agrarian conflict in Padang Halaban Village.

Q: What are the implications of the study?

A: The implications of the study are:

Promoting social and economic justice: The study highlights the importance of promoting social and economic justice for farmers in Indonesia.
Empowering farmers: The study emphasizes the need to empower farmers through political education and economic empowerment.
Addressing agrarian conflict: The study provides insights into the challenges faced by farmers in Indonesia and the role of farmers' mass organizations in addressing these challenges.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The limitations of the study include:

Case study design: The study is based on a case study design, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Data collection methods: The study relies on interview methods, which may be subject to biases and limitations.
Theoretical framework: The study is based on a theoretical framework that may not fully capture the complexities of the issue.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions include:

Expanding the study to other regions: The study could be expanded to other regions in Indonesia to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Using other data collection methods: The study could use other data collection methods, such as surveys or focus groups, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Developing a more comprehensive theoretical framework: The study could develop a more comprehensive theoretical framework that captures the complexities of the issue.