Strengthening Social Capital in Empowering Village Farming Communities in Padaherang District, Pangandaran Regency

Abstract

This study describes the strengthening of social capital in the empowerment of rural farming communities in Padaherang District, Pangandaran Regency. This is because the life of the farmers community is increasingly questioning, such as the lack of interest in becoming a farmer, the high number of poor farmers, increasing low education, and increasing access to training and assistance, leaving farmers powerless and without independence. This study aims to obtain a picture of strengthening social capital in empowering rural farming communities in Padaherang Subdistrict, Pangandaran Regency. The research method used in this research is the case study method by obtaining qualitative. The results of the study can be known about the five-group program formed, namely the Kelompok Tani Sejahtera (KTS), Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT), Pelatihan Anak Tani Remaja (PATRA), Pengembangan Usaha Agribisnis Perdesaan (PUAP), and Gapoktan (Gabungan Kelompok Tani). These programs are the result of the formation of self-supporting farmer communities on the basis of a fate and challenges to the problems experienced by village farmers. Farmers feel the quality improvement goes up to a better direction. Farmers are more interested in increasing their knowledge, skills and expertise in agriculture. Farmers are guided to have more independence, ability to solve problems, be able to think, and fit in accordance with their experiences found in the program activities. Social capital supports the empowerment of farmers with the social network that is in it related to members with a relationship of mutual trust, high solidarity, upholding social values and norms, reciprocity and profitability.