Benefits of Social Capital in Agriculture

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 138 views

Introduction

In rural communities, agriculture and plantation sectors often serve as the backbone of the local economy. Delung Tue Village, located in Bukit District, Bener Meriah Regency, is no exception. The majority of villagers rely on agricultural products for their livelihood, with farming activities being the primary source of income. However, farmers in this region face numerous challenges in managing their land, making it essential to understand the role of social capital in agriculture. This study aims to explore the social capital of farmers in managing agriculture, focusing on the Mangolo system in Delung Tue Village.

The Mangolo System: A Social Capital Framework

The Mangolo system is a traditional help system used by farmers in Delung Tue Village to manage their agricultural activities. This system involves mutual cooperation and assistance among farmers, providing a framework for social capital development. The Mangolo system consists of several stages, including planting seeds, plant maintenance, fertilization, and harvesting agricultural products. By working together, farmers can share resources, reduce operational costs, and increase productivity.

Methodology

This study employed a case study approach with a qualitative research design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with farmers, observations of participants, and literature studies. The research aimed to understand the social capital of farmers in managing agriculture and explore the mutual cooperation activities carried out by them.

Results

The results of this study showed that agricultural activities in Delung Tue Village were previously based on the Mangolo system. However, over time, this system began to fade. Many farmers with large capital turned to the wage system, while farmers with limited capital relied on the Mangolo system to reduce operational costs in cultivating their land. The stages in the Mangolo system include:

Planting seeds: Farmers work together to plant seeds, sharing resources and expertise.
Plant maintenance: Farmers assist each other in maintaining their plants, ensuring optimal growth and development.
Fertilization: Farmers share fertilizers and other inputs to reduce costs and increase productivity.
Harvesting: Farmers work together to harvest agricultural products, making the process more efficient and effective.

Benefits of Social Capital in Agriculture

The existence of social capital in agricultural management in Delung Tue Village through the Mangolo system provides numerous benefits, both in social and economic aspects.

Social Benefits

Easing workload: The Mangolo system helps ease the workload of farmers, making heavy tasks feel lighter.
Strengthening relationships: This activity strengthens relations between farmers, forming a network that can facilitate their access to assistance, both in farming and outside agriculture.
Access to resources: The social capital established through the Mangolo system provides access to resources, such as job offers or capital loans.
Mutual assistance: This social capital also contributes to the opening of opportunities in the form of mutual assistance to other social activities, such as marriage or when facing disaster.

Economic Benefits

Reducing capital expenditure: The Mangolo system helps reduce farmers' capital expenditure by sharing energy and resources.
Increasing productivity: By working together, farmers can increase productivity and reduce costs.
Sustainability: The Mangolo system makes agriculture in Delung Tue Village remains sustainable and productive, even in limited economic conditions.

Conclusion

The Mangolo system in Delung Tue Village is not only a strategy in farming but also creates significant added value in the social and economic life of the farming community. Social capital established in this community is an important factor for the sustainability and development of agriculture in the future. Thus, strengthening the Mangolo system is very important in maintaining local wisdom and improving the welfare of farmers in this village.

Recommendations

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

Strengthen the Mangolo system: Efforts should be made to strengthen the Mangolo system, promoting mutual cooperation and assistance among farmers.
Promote social capital development: Initiatives should be taken to promote social capital development in the community, focusing on building relationships and networks among farmers.
Provide resources and support: Resources and support should be provided to farmers to help them maintain their agricultural activities and improve their livelihoods.

Q: What is social capital in agriculture?

A: Social capital in agriculture refers to the networks, relationships, and norms of reciprocity that exist among farmers, enabling them to share resources, knowledge, and expertise to improve their agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Q: What is the Mangolo system?

A: The Mangolo system is a traditional help system used by farmers in Delung Tue Village to manage their agricultural activities. It involves mutual cooperation and assistance among farmers, providing a framework for social capital development.

Q: How does the Mangolo system work?

A: The Mangolo system consists of several stages, including planting seeds, plant maintenance, fertilization, and harvesting agricultural products. By working together, farmers can share resources, reduce operational costs, and increase productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of social capital in agriculture?

A: The existence of social capital in agricultural management in Delung Tue Village through the Mangolo system provides numerous benefits, both in social and economic aspects. These include easing workload, strengthening relationships, access to resources, mutual assistance, reducing capital expenditure, increasing productivity, and sustainability.

Q: How can social capital be developed in agriculture?

A: Social capital can be developed in agriculture through initiatives that promote mutual cooperation and assistance among farmers. This can include strengthening the Mangolo system, promoting social capital development, and providing resources and support to farmers.

Q: What is the importance of social capital in agriculture?

A: Social capital is an important factor for the sustainability and development of agriculture in the future. It provides a framework for farmers to share resources, knowledge, and expertise, improving their agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Q: How can the Mangolo system be maintained and strengthened?

A: The Mangolo system can be maintained and strengthened through efforts to promote mutual cooperation and assistance among farmers. This can include providing resources and support to farmers, promoting social capital development, and strengthening the Mangolo system.

Q: What are the challenges faced by farmers in Delung Tue Village?

A: Farmers in Delung Tue Village face numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, lack of knowledge and expertise, and limited economic opportunities. The Mangolo system provides a framework for social capital development, helping farmers to overcome these challenges and improve their agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Q: How can the findings of this study be applied in other contexts?

A: The findings of this study can be applied in other contexts where farmers face similar challenges. By promoting social capital development and strengthening the Mangolo system, farmers can improve their agricultural productivity and livelihoods, contributing to the sustainability and development of agriculture in the future.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy and practice?

A: The findings of this study have implications for policy and practice, highlighting the importance of social capital in agriculture. Policymakers and practitioners can learn from the experiences of farmers in Delung Tue Village, promoting social capital development and strengthening the Mangolo system to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods.