Utilising Agricultural Downstreaming as a Method to Enhance Food Security for Rural Populations

Abstrak

Agricultural downstreaming in Buru Regency serves as a crucial strategy for enhancing food security and the economic well-being of rural communities. Currently, agricultural produce is largely sold in its raw state, resulting in low value-added returns for farmers and leaving them vulnerable to market price fluctuations. Through downstreaming, agricultural products can be processed into higher-value commodities, thereby expanding market access and creating new employment opportunities. This study employs a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. This approach was selected for its ability to deeply explore the lived experiences of the Buru community including how they perceive the world, interpret traditions, and connect daily experiences with value systems and their environment. The research was conducted among farming and fishing households across seven villages in Buru Regency, Maluku: Parbulu, Seith, Waegeren, Waitele, Hatawano, Wamlana, and Waeperang. Twenty-two informants were selected purposively; data were gathered through in-depth interviews and participant observation, then thematically analyzed using MAXQDA 24 software. The findings reveal that the community's survival strategies rely heavily on the transmission of local knowledge regarding food processing and crop diversification practices that maintain ecological balance. While technology adoption is beginning to drive downstreaming processes to create product value-added, success hinges on the synergy between village government policies, social capital, and the traditional wisdom preserved by women; together, these elements form a holistic food security model that is resilient against both environmental and economic challenges. A limitation of this study is the prevailing lack of collective awareness regarding the long-term impacts of environmental change, alongside a scarcity of innovations for creating more competitive, value-added products. Consequently, future research should focus on developing climate change adaptation models integrated with appropriate technology, as well as strengthening entrepreneurship strategies for coastal women to transform their roles from subsistence-based activities toward broader economic independence.