Sustainable Livelihood Strategies and Potential Socio-Economic Development Activities in Kampung Kesindu, Simunjan

Abstract

This study takes place in an Iban community village located at the foot of Bukit Buri in an area called Kampung Kesindu, Simunjan. A part of the community lives in the longhouse headed by a headman named Tuai Rumah Robert Gana anak Jampong, while others have built their own houses around the longhouse. The aims of this study are to study the sustainable livelihood strategies and potential socio-economic development activities in Kampung Kesindu, Simunjan. The study explores how the community livelihood strategies influenced their socio-economic and natural environment. This study combines qualitative survey and participatory research techniques, namely Participatory Research Appraisal (PRA), as an approach to achieve a broad understanding of the livelihood strategies and land use of the community in Kampung Kesindu. The social sciences techniques used in this study are transect walk, seasonal calendar, focus group interview, and questionnaire survey. The study shows the essential aspect of the livelihood strategy in the community is to strike a balance between income security and food security. In addition, natural, social, human, financial, and physical capitals were identified to study the livelihood strategies at Kampung Kesindu. It is also important to realise that the community is dynamic in managing their resources. Government agencies play an important role in providing the subsidy and assistance for agriculture development in Kampung Kesindu. In summary, the current agricultural activities and practices of the community have little impact on the local natural resources. The community of Kampung Kesindu has identified that the community after much experience and observation made throughout the years of carrying out the agricultural activities as top priority that will improve their socio-economic.