Institutional Embeddedness in Economic Rice Farmer: A Case Study in Duriaasi Village, Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

This article focuses on the role of institutions in Duriaasi Village, Konawe Regency, in improving the welfare of farmers through efficient rice field management. The farmers have been able to increase their productivity and income by organizing themselves under various village parties, in line with the concept of institutional embeddedness. There is an interesting phenomenon in Konawe Regency whereby the ratio of rice productivity to the area of agricultural land is higher than in other areas of Southeast Sulawesi province, resulting in the highest selling price of dry unhusked rice. This has attracted traders from other regions to come and buy rice. To collect data, a qualitative approach was used, and observations and in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants. The strong relationship between social activities and institutions at the village level has encouraged positive economic growth among farming communities. The good collaboration has resulted in the community's farming productivity exceeding the provincial minimum wage standard.