Konversi Lahan Pertanian Menjadi Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit di Desa Simangalam Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Tahun 1980-2008

Abstract

Simangalam Village is a village that converts land because there are several problems experienced by the community in agricultural cultivation. The community has to face drought during the dry season and flooding during the rainy season and there is no irrigation in Simangalam Village to supply water for the community's agriculture. Erratic yields and harvests only once a year caused the community to live in poverty and suffering. This situation lasted for a long time until in 1980 the conversion of Oil Palm was carried out and after that the economic situation of the Simangalam Village community gradually improved. This research aims to explain the condition of the Simangalam Village community before land conversion, the background of land conversion, the process of conversion, and the impact of land conversion on the economic aspects of the Simangalam Village community. This research was conducted using qualitative research methods or interviews. The results of the study revealed that the condition of the community before land conversion was very bad and experienced stagnation. In addition, natural factors, namely floods and droughts that damage community agriculture, are also one of the factors that cause conversion. infrastructure improvements make it easier for conversion and market factors that make oil palm one of the commodities that have a suitable selling price are the background for conversion in Simangalam Village. The process of conversion begins with converting land, namely rubber and secondary crops, after this is successful, it is continued with rice fields. This land conversion has a good impact on the economic aspects of the community. Community income is increasing compared to previous commodities. Employment opportunities are increasing and people have more free time because oil palm maintenance is not difficult. Therefore, conversion is the right step in providing welfare for the people of Simangalam Village.