Pemberdayaan Ekonomi Masyarakat Melalui Home Industri Gula Aren di Desa Bulumario Kecamatan Sipirok Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan

Abstrak

This study aims to analyze community economic empowerment through the palm sugar home industry in Bulumario Village, Sipirok District, South Tapanuli Regency. This study employed a qualitative method using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, while the data were analyzed qualitatively by examining the empowerment process implemented within the community. The findings show that community empowerment was carried out through digital skills and digital marketing training, collaboration, equalization, and alternative training. The empowerment process consisted of problem mapping, counseling, mentoring, and evaluation. These activities resulted in several positive changes, including increased community knowledge and skills in utilizing digital technology, wider product promotion and market access, increased production, and higher income among some palm sugar producers. However, the empowerment process still faced several limitations, including limited internet access, differences in technological skills among community members, and the suboptimal implementation of digital marketing. The study demonstrates that the utilization of digital technology through a participatory empowerment process can serve as an alternative approach to developing local economic potential and strengthening community independence through the palm sugar home industry.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pemberdayaan ekonomi masyarakat melalui home industri gula aren di Desa Bulumario, Kecamatan Sipirok, Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan Participatory Action Research (PAR). Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi, sedangkan analisis data dilakukan secara kualitatif dengan memperhatikan proses pemberdayaan yang berlangsung di masyarakat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bentuk pemberdayaan dilakukan melalui pelatihan keterampilan digital dan pemasaran digital, kolaborasi, penyamarataan, serta pelatihan alternatif. Proses pemberdayaan dilaksanakan melalui tahapan pemetaan masalah, penyuluhan, pendampingan, dan evaluasi. Kegiatan tersebut memberikan perubahan positif berupa meningkatnya pengetahuan dan keterampilan masyarakat dalam memanfaatkan teknologi digital, meluasnya promosi dan akses pasar, meningkatnya produksi, serta adanya peningkatan pendapatan pada sebagian pengelola gula aren. Meskipun demikian, hasil pemberdayaan masih menghadapi keterbatasan berupa akses internet, kemampuan teknologi masyarakat, dan belum optimalnya penerapan pemasaran digital. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemanfaatan teknologi digital melalui proses pemberdayaan partisipatif dapat menjadi salah satu alternatif dalam mengembangkan potensi ekonomi lokal dan meningkatkan kemandirian masyarakat melalui home industri gula aren.