Economic Dimensions for Enhancing the Role of Youth Sustainable Agricultural Development in Pagersari Village, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia

Abstract

Agricultural development remains an important sector in Tasikmalaya Regency, yet the declining interest of young people in agriculture has become a growing concern. This study examines the economic dimensions of sustainable agriculture and explores the factors influencing youth participation in agricultural development in Tegalaja Hamlet, Pagersari Village. The area provides an interesting context because agricultural production has long been shaped by a patronage system that has persisted for more than two generations. At the same time, local farmers have begun adopting organic farming practices as part of their efforts toward more sustainable agriculture. This study employed a qualitative ethnographic approach. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analysed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The analysis focused particularly on economic aspects, including farm profitability, income stability, and access to productive resources. The findings show that young people are relatively adaptive in adopting sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic fertiliser use and water-efficient irrigation. However, their participation in the agricultural structure remains limited. Low profitability, restricted access to land and capital, and the persistence of patronage relations continue to constrain youth involvement. Most tenant farmers also earn incomes below the local minimum wage, making agriculture less attractive as a long-term livelihood for younger generations. This study highlights how economic constraints interact with patronage-based social relations in explaining weak farmer regeneration. Strengthening youth access to land, credit, economic incentives, and institutional support is therefore essential for sustaining agricultural regeneration in rural Java.