Agricultural sociology is a branch of sociology that is used for various policies in decision makers on socio-economic issues as well as agriculture.
The need for agricultural sociology to be studied is inseparable from community development in the agricultural sector, especially those carried out in the characteristics of traditional communities in rural areas.
Because of that sometimes the object of study of agricultural sociology is closely related to rural sociology. Although the two clearly have a number of differences, one of which is when it comes to understanding related to the social structure in learning.
Agricultural Sociology
In essence, agricultural sociology has been studied in social and agricultural studies. Social itself focuses on society, starting from social relations, social groups, and forms of social interaction.
While agriculture focuses on the utilization of biological resources which are expected to be a supplier of means of subsistence needs, such as the food sector.
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Definition of Agricultural Sociology
Agricultural sociology is the study of human relations with the agricultural environment, where social processes and social interactions are carried out through a series of social research steps, which are then expected to maximize important decisions in the agricultural sector, both traditional agriculture and modern agricultural systems.
Understanding of Agricultural Sociology According to Experts
As for the definition of agricultural sociology according to experts. Among others;
1. Rachbini, DJ
The definition of agricultural sociology is a study that studies the level of community participation in agricultural development through a process of assistance and cooperation between communities. Community development and participation can get good results, if the agricultural development policy involves ethics and elements in the farming community.
2. Ohrella
The meaning of agricultural sociology as an effort to empower farming communities which is carried out through a series of social relations, social interactions, and cooperation between the community and the government to agree on policies that benefit both parties.
3.Planck
the definition of agricultural sociology is the study of sociology that discusses the behavior and activities of farming communities in increasing agricultural yields. This sociology is different from rural sociology, the difference is because not all rural people become farmers, and farming communities in general live in rural areas.
4. Raharjo
The definition of agricultural sociology is the subject matter of rural communities in meeting their needs and increasing agricultural output.
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Scope of Agricultural Sociology
The scope that is the focus of study in agricultural sociology, among others;
1. Farmer family
The farming family is essentially the focus of study in agricultural sociology. Farmer families in the community are studied with the hope that there will be appropriate policies later, such policies regarding the motivation of the children (hereditary) of the farmers to be able to continue their father’s work.
2. Way of life
A person’s way of life, both individually and in groups, is the focus of study in agricultural sociology. This way of life is important to learn, because by knowing the way of life that is carried out, the policies that are formulated will be considered in accordance with the expectations of society.
3. Farming Pattern
Agricultural patterns are the focus of discussion in agricultural sociology, this focus is obtained with the end result being decisions and policies that will be carried out by the government. Agricultural patterns are also used to determine community procedures in farming using traditional or modern methods.
4. Social organization
Social organization in society is the focus of discussion in agricultural sociology. An example of this social organization is the Rubber Farmers Association, Gapoktan, and so on. The function of community organizations is to accommodate the wishes and everything needed in the agriculture.
4. Communication Patterns
Communication made by the public to the government, or vice versa. Government and society are the focus of discussion in agricultural sociology, where this effort is carried out in the form of a forum or something else. Until finally, with these conditions, the community can accept and according to their needs to advance the agricultural sector.
6. Social Structure
The social structure in agricultural society is an effort to unite, this effort is one of the responses regarding the branch of sociology in society. Until finally with cooperation between social structures can maximize the agricultural output that is obtained.
7. Education
Education is one of the important topics in agricultural sociology. This education is of course carried out to be able to identify between the level of welfare and the level of educational strata in society. Further discussion on the sociology of education.
8. Infrastructure
Efforts to develop the agricultural sector will not materialize if there are no adequate facilities and infrastructure. That’s why facilities and infrastructure are also discussed in full in agricultural sociology, especially to analyze the extent of community success.
9. Administration of Commerce and Other Agrarian Relations
The trading system or the selling system of agricultural products is the focus of agricultural sociology. This trading system is carried out in an effort to create community welfare. That’s why the discussion of trade system and agrarian relations is necessary.
10. Implementation of Agricultural Development
The final stage described in agricultural sociology is the implementation of agriculture, this implementation is the conclusion of all aspects to increase income and analyze welfare in farming communities.
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Agricultural Sociology Objects
For agricultural sociology objects, among others;
1. Peasant Communities in Villages and Cities
The life felt by the community, especially those working in the agricultural sector, is the object of discussion in agricultural sociology. The definition of a farming family starts from the level of welfare, level of education, and social traditions adopted by the family. So that all parties involved in agriculture, both those in the village and on the outskirts of the city and even in the city become a discussion in the sociological object of agriculture.
2. Relations Between Farmers
Social relations that occur among people who work in agriculture, become one of the main topics in agricultural sociology. This relationship refers to community cooperation, in distributing agricultural products, to cooperation when farmers lack organic or inorganic fertilizers.
Aims of Agricultural Sociology
As for some of the goals expected from agricultural sociology, namely;
1. Expected to be Able to Solve Agricultural Problems with a Sociological Approach
An understanding of the life of farming communities in certain villages and cities is very important to understand. So that these lessons and discussions are carried out with the right social research instruments, which in the end are able to answer the policies that are carried out which will be in accordance with conditions in society, especially to solve problems in the agricultural sector.
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Functions of Agricultural Sociology
The benefits of studying agricultural sociology are;
- Get to know the behavior of people who work as farmers, both in lifestyle, agrarian work relations, institutions in society, and agricultural development achieved.
- Accelerate the development and increase the yield of farmers, who until now all things and owners of Pagan Resources are in the agricultural sector.
Examples of Agricultural Sociology
Examples of case studies in agricultural sociology, for example;
- Use of Modern Tools in Farming
About the modernization and challenges of globalization in Indonesia. Where in traditional societies they choose to farm according to the prevailing patterns, for example, all people farming rice, rubber plantations, or other agriculture.
Agricultural sociology plays a role here in this regard, to increase agricultural yields by first conducting research on the nutrients contained in the soil, the aim of which is to provide input on other agriculture that can be developed by the community.
It is hoped that these other agricultural products will be in accordance with the development of globalization, where in fact sales can reach within and outside the country. If this method of study is successful, the community can directly apply the various farming systems that are being carried out.
Such is the writing regarding the understanding of agricultural sociology according to experts, scope, object of study, objectives, benefits, and examples of studies. Hopefully this article can provide knowledge and insight to readers who need references.