Peran Produksi Batako dalam Struktur Sosial dan Kesejahteraan Rumah Tangga di Desa Aek Nabara Jae, Kecamatan Aek Nabara Barumun, Kabupaten Padang Lawas

Abstract

Small-scale household industries, particularly concrete block production, play an important role as an alternative source of income for rural households with limited access to agricultural land. This study aims to examine the role of concrete block production in the social structure and household welfare in Aek Nabara Jae Village, Aek Nabara Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency. The focus is on its influence on patterns of social relations within the community, its contribution to producer household income, and the supporting and inhibiting factors affecting business development. This study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving two informants, namely a concrete block producer and the village head. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation during the implementation of the Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata) and analyzed descriptively through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that concrete block production influences social relations through the division of labor among family members and the formation of socio-economic networks with suppliers and consumers, without substantially altering the overall social structure. The business contributes to household welfare by supporting daily needs and children’s educational expenses. Sustainability is influenced by market demand, family labor, raw material availability, skills, and social relationships, while constraints include price fluctuations, weather, and mismatch between production and demand.