Social Relations Patterns of Guava Farmers in Agrotourism Development (Case Study of Guava Agrotourism in Ngargoyoso District)

Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami No 36. A, Kentingan, Jebres, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia

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Abstract

Guava agrotourism in Jatirejo Village, Ngargoyoso District, represents an agricultural-based economic strategy that also contributes to rural environment development through the integration of farming activities with tourism-based economic diversification. This study aims to analyze the social relation patterns of guava farmers as well as the influencing factors, within the broader context of strengthening sustainable rural agricultural ecosystems. The research employed a qualitative method with a descriptive and case study approach. Jatirejo Village was purposively selected as the research site due to its role as a guava agrotourism center in Karanganyar Regency. Data were collected through interviews, documentation, and field observation with informants from diverse backgrounds relevant to guava agrotourism. The findings reveal two patterns of social relations: associative and dissociative which play an important role in supporting or constraining environmentally sustainable agrotourism practices in rural areas. Associative relations are reflected in cooperation between farmers and agrotourism developers, as well as partnerships with guava collectors and government institutions. Conversely, dissociative relations emerge in the form of competition between developers and the dependency of farmers on guava collectors. The factors influencing these social relation patterns include frequency of interaction, communication, convergence or divergence of interests, and mutual trust among actors. These insights highlight the importance of social relations in strengthening a resilient, community based rural agrotourism ecosystem.