3.1. Factors Influencing Social Transformation
The main factors contributing to social transformation in peri-urban communities are disruptions resulting from changes in strategic environmental conditions, particularly the conversion of agricultural land for the development of transportation infrastructure, communication facilities, and other economic purposes. The social transformation encompasses the following aspects: (1) the advancement of information technology, (2) the emergence of sharing economies promoting economic justice, (3) changes in social and cultural values, (4) the community’s attitude towards adapting to changes in their strategic environment, (5) behavior based on the awareness of the importance of collaboration, and (6) increased community participation closely linked to their level of empowerment.
The observed social transformation is influenced by various factors, including (1) disruptions caused by changes in the peri-urban community’s strategic environment, (2) increased awareness of the importance of collaborative synergy, (3) access to information and communication technology (ICT), and (4) the level of community empowerment in managing their communal resources. A detailed mapping of these factors is provided in
Table 1.
Social transformation regarding the development of information technology is closely related to all factors influencing the process of social transformation. On the other hand, the transformation towards a sharing economy that leads to justice is particularly related to the strengthening of community awareness, collaborative synergy, and the development of community empowerment. The transformation of social and cultural values is closely related to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of ICT, where the longer the pandemic crisis persists, the stronger the transformation process becomes, supported by the access of local figures to ICT. Changes in people’s attitudes towards strategic environmental changes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of ICT, are closely related to disruptions, the strengthening of awareness, and the development of community empowerment in facing the occurring disruptions. People’s behavior is influenced by the pressures of disruptive situations, access to ICT, perceived collaborative synergy among the community, and the level of community empowerment. The transformation of increased community participation is related to the strengthening of community awareness, access to ICT, collaborative synergy, and the level of community empowerment.
3.2. The Process of Social Transformation in Peri-Urban Communities during the Disruption Era
At the time of this study, the occurrence of disruption was triggered by two main factors: the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT). Disruption can be described as the unpreparedness of communities to face the pandemic crisis and access digital communication, particularly through Android-based social media. Social transformation becomes a strong demand in dealing with such disruption. In the disruption era, peri-urban communities face high uncertainty regarding the impacts of the pandemic crisis and all economic strata experience paralysis. The lower strata of society face confusion regarding rules and various social restrictions that limit their ability to earn a living, lack the certainty of time, and have limited face-to-face interactions. Even when the pandemic subsides, and the government declares entry into a new post-pandemic era, warnings about the threats posed by new COVID-19 variants continue to color the disruption.
There is a relationship between the process of social transformation and the types of transformation that occur in peri-urban communities in the era of disruption. Certain types of transformation show a correlation with specific transformations. In detail, this can be seen in
Table 2, which illustrates the relationship between types and processes of social transformation in peri-urban communities during the era of disruption. There are at least six types of social transformation in peri-urban communities, including transformations related to: (1) digital information technology, (2) sharing economy leading to partnership synergy, (3) cultural and social value orientations, (4) community attitudes towards changes in their strategic environment, (5) behavior based on awareness of the importance of collaboration, and (6) increased participation closely related to the level of community empowerment. Each type of transformation exhibits distinct social transformation processes as presented in
Table 2.
There are at least five distinct transformation processes associated with these types of transformations, namely: (1) collaboration, (2) adaptation, (3) synergy, (4) digitalization, and (5) sustainability. The detailed relationship between types and processes of social transformation can be further explained as follows:
First, the development of information technology plays a crucial role in transforming the way peri-urban communities interact with fellow farmers and partners through social media platforms, as well as accessing information and technologies that can meet the market demands for agricultural products. Social transformation is heavily influenced by the significant role of technology in shaping and changing social structures, as well as its impact on social and cultural aspects. The transformation of social structures in agricultural communities is influenced by the limited access to agricultural land resources and the awareness of the need for sustainable food production, with a long-term goal of reducing poverty. The process of farmer/community education and online marketing is greatly supported by the presence of ICT [
39,
40,
41,
42]. In dryland areas, the transformation of social structures leads to collaborative synergy among community members in managing limited backyard land. The cultural transformation in both the paddy field and dryland communities focuses on the agricultural innovation values that can be accessed by local influential figures, particularly from the younger generation. These influential figures play the role of local champions as they build markets for agricultural products and disseminate agricultural information/innovations through social media and ICT. Farmer groups act as a forum through social media, serving as a platform for sharing information, collaborative learning, and business cooperation among farmers and their partners. These partners include agricultural extension officers, input suppliers, and agricultural product marketers.
The development of digital technology has accelerated the adoption of digital tools in various community activities, especially through social media. Communities, through the role of local influencers with access to smartphones, are increasingly utilizing digital services for work, learning, shopping, and socializing. This has influenced the way people interact, communicate, access information, and has led to shifts in values such as openness to technology, understanding of the digital world, and the need for digital literacy.
Second, the sharing economy can be observed among farmers and their partners in utilizing natural and social resources collectively and sustainably. This sharing economy has become a significant aspect of social transformation in peri-urban communities. Business models such as vehicle sharing, accommodation sharing, and other forms of economic cooperation have transformed the traditional economic paradigm, which was previously oriented towards subsistence and non-collaborative economies. Each participating party contributes in accordance with their respective capabilities, ensuring that benefits are proportionate to needs and contributions and encouraging justice and equity for all parties. This sustainable collaboration can only occur when there is synergy among the collaborating parties, namely the farmers and their partners.
Third, the transformation of cultural values in peri-urban communities in Indonesia during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic can be described as follows. There has been a shift in cultural values towards a greater concern for following health protocols. People have become more aware of the importance of maintaining individual, family, and collective health, as well as taking preventive measures such as handwashing, wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing. Places of worship are also subject to health protocol regulations, and events such as weddings and other celebrations have been canceled. As the new normal approaches, these health protocols are gradually relaxed but still followed. There is a strengthening of solidarity and mutual cooperation among community members in peri-urban areas. Forms of cooperation include assisting those who are economically affected by donating food, daily necessities, or providing moral support. These activities demonstrate an increase in empathy and concern for others. There has been a change in work patterns, with a shift towards more flexible work arrangements such as working from home or using hybrid online-offline work models. This has transformed how individuals, groups, or collectives work, collaborate, and interact in the workplace. Values such as adaptability, self-reliance, and discipline are considered increasingly important.
Fourth, the attitude of adaptability and flexibility is crucial for communities in peri-urban areas to cope with the disruptive era caused by changes in the strategic environment. Social transformation is influenced by the capacity for flexibility and adaptability in facing these changes. The ability to adapt quickly and overcome new challenges becomes the focus of the social transformation process. The transformation of values and attitudes of community adaptation in this context includes filtering ability, competitiveness, compatibility, and adaptability. This aligns with the research conducted by Sumardjo et al.[
32,
33].
Figure 1 shows the precise transformation of community values and attitudes.
Related to the transformation of attitudes and behaviors of adaptation, it can be explained in
Table 3. The transformation of values and attitudes of adaptation moves through three levels of community empowerment, namely from ‘less empowered’ transforming into ‘empowered’ and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of becoming ‘self-reliant’ communities. Self-reliant communities are characterized by sustainable empowerment with indications of the ability to synergistically collaborate with various stakeholders for food sustainability and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These results support and add to those of Sumardjo et al [
6,
7,
33]. The term ‘filtering power’ refers to the ability to make appropriate decisions based on broad and up-to-date insights in managing agricultural businesses. ‘Competitiveness’ denotes the ability to behave increasingly efficiently and effectively in managing the potential of natural and social resources that can be accessed. partnership power’ represents the ability to develop collaborative synergies between the peri-urban community and its partners. Meanwhile, ‘daya adaptasi’ signifies the ability to think and act progressively in anticipating the trends of strategic environmental changes in the lives of peri-urban communities.
Fifth, behavioral transformation in society aligns with the increasing awareness of sustainable hygiene practices. Society’s behavior is related to changes in knowledge, attitudes, and actions [
43,
44,
45]. Peri-urban communities have become more concerned about utilizing their yards for urban farming, and maintaining cleanliness in their living spaces, the surrounding environment, and public areas. There has been an increased interest in a more pragmatic lifestyle, waste management for agriculture, and the selection of environmentally friendly products. Additionally, social activities are predominantly conducted online or on a smaller scale. Society has learned to adapt to these limitations and has found new ways to maintain social connections through digital communication, particularly through the use of Android-based platforms.
Four forms of community adaptation to environmental changes and innovation in backyard utilization were identified by Sumardjo et al.’s study [
32,
33] as follows: (1) apathetic type; (2) reactive type; (3) proactive type; and (4) anticipatory type. Additionally, this progression shows growing tolerance to the ongoing changes. These results are consistent with those of Sumardjo et al. (2018), who focused on engaging families in the cultivation of organic medicinal plants. The detailed profiles of communities based on their adaptation types to environmental changes are as follows: (1) Apathetic type: This type is observed among participants from low education and income backgrounds, representing the lower socioeconomic strata. Their adaptation depends on interventions from external parties. They adjust to empowerment initiatives that are primarily influenced or pushed by outside parties, such as the facilitator and local cadre positions. (2) Reactive type: People of this type tend to have just a basic level of education, to come from the lower-middle socioeconomic strata, and to have a socialistic inclination. They adjust in reaction to perceived hazards and the information-sharing responsibilities of other players in the implementation of innovative urban farming techniques for medicinal plants. (3) Proactive kind: Participants with medium to high levels of education, reasonably cosmopolitan backgrounds, and access to local cadres or facilitators’ knowledge are examples of this type. After gathering knowledge from easily accessible sources, such as local community leaders, facilitators, and business partners, they quickly adopt attitudes and take action. These people frequently participate actively in empowerment initiatives, have sufficient knowledge and skills, and have a favorable outlook on potential business risks. (4) Anticipatory type: This type primarily occurs among local figures who have developed an adaptive attitude. These influential figures have relatively higher levels of education and cosmopolitan backgrounds. They have access to digital information, such as cyber extension services, and actively communicate with facilitators, as well as acquire information from the internet. They are able to take in data from a variety of sources and organize their operations while taking into account understanding of the potential effects of changes and risks that might be concerned.
Participants in family empowerment need to enhance their adaptive attitudes, notably by being more proactive and anticipatory rather than reactive, in order to reduce the business risks. Families’ adaptive attitudes have been successfully reinforced by the support and direction given during family empowerment events, changing them from being mostly reactive and indifferent to proactive and anticipatory.
Sixth, social transformation in peri-urban communities is evident through increased community participation. Participation is a crucial component in the empowerment process that leads to social transformation [
9,
46,
47]. Communities now have increased access to technology and information in the age of disruption, allowing for broad participation in social transformation. This indicates that social transformation emphasizes the importance of active community participation in social and cultural changes, particularly in terms of values related to paddy and dryland agriculture, attitudes towards sustainable food needs, and poverty reduction.
3.3. Collaboration in Hexahelix for Social Transformation in Peri-Urban Communities
The collaborative approach is a key factor in the social transformation process of peri-urban communities in response to environmental changes. Current theories of social transformation increasingly emphasize the need for collaborative approaches in addressing these changes. In this study, the hexahelix collaboration among partners in the empowerment process of peri-urban communities was identified. This approach serves as a catalyst for sustainable food security and the achievement of SDGs, particularly in relation to poverty reduction.
Sustainable social transformation in peri-urban communities is realized through the synergy of collaborative efforts between the government, business sector, community organizations, academia, change agents (facilitators), and media communication, with active participation from various stakeholders to achieve the goals of food security, sustainability, and SDG attainment. The roles of each party are as follows:
At the peri-urban community level, academics have played a central role in both communities studied, which is to develop community participation from a state of powerlessness towards community empowerment. This central role involves integrating various community partners to realize the hopes and future of the community, particularly in the areas of food and poverty alleviation, through strengthening access to information and innovation for social transformation. In general, academics have a role in generating knowledge and research findings that are relevant to support social transformation. Academics with a participatory approach have conducted studies and analyses on disruptions, and the impacts of disruptions, identified community-level solutions and provided policy recommendations at a broader level to the government. Additionally, academics produce change agents, such as facilitators or community empowerment practitioners, who can interact directly with the community.
The real role of these change agents is to strengthen access to information, training, and the capacity building of human capital and social capital to implement positive changes in community life. The government has a role in legitimizing community programs that align with policies supporting social transformation in the era of disruption. The government can legitimize regulations developed participative by the community aimed at improving community welfare and addressing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The business sector, utilizing funds from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, has played a significant role in social transformation by funding community empowerment programs in collaboration with academics. This is the responsibility of businesses to be socially and environmentally responsible, especially in the areas affected by their operational activities. Community empowerment programs adopt sustainable business models, support local communities, and invest in positive technological innovations. Additionally, businesses can provide employment opportunities, training, and economic opportunities that strengthen community self-reliance. Communities and community organizations, including non-profit organizations, NGOs, and local community groups, play a role in mobilizing and strengthening community participation in social transformation. Communities are positioned as subjects in social transformation towards sustainable food security and the achievement of SDGs, particularly poverty reduction, through capacity building in community empowerment.
The media plays a crucial role in disseminating information, raising awareness, and shaping public opinion. Through news coverage, educational programs, and social media platforms, the media can communicate important issues such as health, the environment, or innovation, and provide a platform for various stakeholders to share their perspectives and experiences. Concrete manifestations of this role are easily accessible to the community, especially through platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube. These media platforms are preferred because they are easily digestible, searchable, and require less time. The younger generation plays a role in accessing communication media and bridging the need for information and innovation through media forums. These media forums take the form of WhatsApp groups and farmer groups.
The importance of sustainability becomes a shared value orientation among collaborating parties in facing the era of disruption. Sustainability is a primary concern in social transformation theory. Social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability are crucial elements in achieving sustainable changes. In the social transformation of peri-urban communities, efforts are needed to integrate sustainability aspects into the strategies and goals of social transformation, namely the sustainability of meeting food needs and reducing poverty within the framework of achieving the SDGs.
3.4. The Impact of Social Transformation
Rice fields in Karawang
- (1)
Economic Benefits
In the rice fields of Karawang, the economic benefits of the ‘Jejak Setapak’ Program can be seen through a 5.2 percent increase in harvest yields. There has been an improvement in harvest yields from the pre-Covid-19 period in 2019 compared to the post-pandemic period in 2023. The harvest yield per three months in 2019 amounted to Rp 225,192,000. The farmers’ harvest yield increased in 2023 to Rp 237,589,000. Through organic farming systems, in addition to a 5.2 percent increase in food production, there is a cost-saving of Rp 326,000 per farmer per hectare. Apart from organic rice, the peri-urban community has also developed urban farming using aquaponics systems in their backyard spaces. Through aquaponics, members of the peri-urban farming group obtain an additional monthly agricultural income of Rp 948,000 per household.
- (2)
Social Benefits
The peri-urban community empowerment program in rice farming has the following social advantages: (1) Creation of social institutions, such as farmer groups acting as a forum for cooperation, learning from one another, and strengthening relationships between farmers and outside stakeholders. (2) The functioning of the “Saripati Tani” cooperative is to serve the farmers’ needs in farming activities, marketing agricultural products, and providing sources of capital for farming ventures. Another social benefit is the reduction of poverty through the employment of 15 unemployed workers between 2019 and 2022. The empowerment program has also been replicated by five other villages that were inspired by the collaborative efforts of the hexahelix collaboration in Plawad Subdistrict.
The peri-urban community empowerment in Plawad Subdistrict involves 46 farmers who are members of the “Paguyuban Saripati Tani” (Saripati Farmers Association). The farmers utilize 6.75 hectares of land for organic farming and maintain four ponds for aquaponics cultivation. Regular assistance is provided by academics, funded through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of a company, in coordination with the participatory involvement of the village government, district office, community members, change agents/facilitators, and media.
- (3)
Environmental Benefits
One of the main missions of the “Jejak Setapak” community empowerment program is to transform conventional agriculture from chemical fertilizer use to environmentally friendly organic farming. Over the course of three years, 6.75 hectares of paddy fields have been developed using organic farming practices. The implementation of organic farming also involves the utilization of organic waste, such as animal manure. In 2022, 20.25 tons of animal manure were utilized for composting, 1,000 kg of wild plants for natural pesticides, and 394 kg of kitchen waste and rotten plants/fruits for the production of local microorganisms (mol). These materials support soil fertility improvement in the cultivation of organic rice under the Jejak Setapak program.
In this program, farmers are also introduced to the use of water hyacinth as a biofilter, which helps mitigate the deterioration of wastewater quality below the established threshold. Water hyacinth can remove phenolic compounds from water bodies at a rate of 160 kg/ha within 72 hours, and it can also absorb other compounds such as phosphorus, ammonium, lead, mercury, and cobalt. Another positive environmental impact is the reduction of straw burning by 36.75 tons. Straw burning can produce harmful carbon gases, with 1,068 kg of CO2 emitted per 1 kg of burned straw. Thus, the utilization of 36,750 kg of straw has contributed to a reduction of 39,249 kg of CO2.
These efforts will continue to be enhanced to have a broader impact. The implementation of organic farming, which improves the quality of paddy soil in Karawang, plays a significant role in ensuring national food security. The participation of farmers and youth offers a new hope for Indonesia in the sustainability of the community’s staple food supply.
Backyard Gardens in Majalengka
- a.
Economic Benefits
Community empowerment on dry lands focuses on optimizing the use of backyard gardens and dormant lands around peri-urban settlements. The economic impact of this empowerment program is derived from the sale of fresh organic products harvested from group demonstration plots, processed food products from the harvested crops, sales of solid organic fertilizers, and the value of liquid organic fertilizers and local microorganisms used by the group for horticultural cultivation. The income per household of farmers has changed from 0 rupiah to Rp. 3,008,850. This income is generated from the sales of liquid organic fertilizers (LOF), solid organic fertilizers (SOF), fresh agricultural products, local microorganisms (MOL), and processed products, totaling Rp 30,086,850, as detailed in
Figure 3.
- c.
Social Benefits
The social impact of the peri-urban community empowerment program on dry lands is reflected in the establishment of collaborative partnerships between the Department of Food Security, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Majalengka Regency, government agricultural extension agencies (District Agricultural Extension Centers), as well as the Village Governments of Bongas Wetan and Cidenok, CARE IPB as an academic institution, PT Pertamina EP, and community leaders.
This collaboration is manifested in activities such as horticultural agricultural education, utilization of backyard lands, organic waste management, and positive conflict management. Furthermore, this collaboration has resulted in the functioning of women farmer groups (KWT), youth farmers, and their cooperation with government agencies and other relevant stakeholders in order to achieve institutional self-reliance.
Both direct and indirect participants can be utilized for measuring the program’s social impact. Members of women farmer organizations and young farmers who were previously unemployed but now have jobs to raise their family’s income are the program’s direct participants. They also acquire horticultural cultivation skills. On the other hand, the indirect beneficiaries are community members who are involved or receive extension education through the women farmer groups and youth farmers. An overview of the direct and indirect social impact beneficiaries can be seen in
Figure 4.
The environmental/ecological benefits of this program are derived from the total amount of processed liquid organic waste into local microorganisms and liquid organic fertilizer, solid organic waste transformed into solid organic fertilizer, and the total area of unused land being utilized. The reduction of organic waste by 750 kg has the potential to decrease the amount of methane gas (CH4) emissions by 0.0004 Gg/year or equivalent to 7.88 tons of CO2 equivalent per year.