THE SHACKLES OF POVERTY OF THE FARMERS IN THE ISOLATED AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITY

Abstract

This study refutes Putnam's statement that people prefer to deal with people they know and can produce results in realizing their goals (Field, 2010, p. 3). Although the farmers in the Isolated and Vulnerable Community (Komunitas Adat Terpencil/KAT) do not only deal with people they know in the networking process, it seems that they are still unable to break the shackles of poverty. This study uses Putnam's social capital theory. The study utilizes a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data collection techniques were observation, interviews, and documentation. In-depth interviews were conducted with six informants selected through the snowball sampling technique. The results of the study show that the farmers in the Isolated and Vulnerable Community apply the bridging and linking strategies to support their farm. These strategies help the community to get capital only but do not help the community to break the shackles of poverty because of exploitation. In addition, the government seems unable to help the community because the capital they have is below the middlemen.

Keywords

• Farmers
• poverty
• middlemen
• public service