Education, Credit Unions, and Cassava Processing: Towards Agrarian Sovereignty of Tanah Serdang Bedagai

The Serdang Bedagai Farmers Union (SPSB) is a farmer community in Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra, dedicated to fighting for agrarian rights and improving the welfare of local farmer communities. Most of the SPSB members are farmers who previously experienced limitations in accessing land because most of the land in this area was controlled by the State Plantation Company (PTPN). However, SPSB managed to secure some of the ex-PTPN land to be managed independently by the community.

SPSB's main focus now is to strengthen land sovereignty through education of young cadres and women in land management, as well as building fairer economic access for local communities. In an effort to strengthen the capacity of members in defending land rights and improving economic welfare, SPSB initiated the True Agrarian Reform Education (ARAS) program and collective business training with the support of Nusantara Fund Direct Funding.

The program implemented by the Serdang Bedagai Farmers Union (SPSB) began with the True Agrarian Reform Education (ARAS) activity, which focused on educating young cadres and women in the community to understand agrarian rights in depth and strengthen their skills in advocacy and sustainable land management. The activity began with an introductory session on the basics of agrarian reform, where participants were introduced to modules to foster an understanding of the importance of land ownership and management. The educational modules included a theoretical understanding of agrarian law, land rights, and government policies that impact community-owned lands.

After understanding the theoretical aspects, the training then moved on to advocacy strategies. In the strategy session, participants were taught practical skills in fighting for their rights, such as preparing legal documents for land ownership, lobbying techniques, and how to deal with legal problems. To ensure a thorough understanding, an advocacy simulation was also conducted, where participants practiced arguing and presenting their cases in front of facilitators and fellow participants. This activity also strengthened their ability to negotiate and build alliances with various parties supporting the struggle for agrarian rights.

In addition to focusing on agrarian rights, they are also taught technical aspects of sustainable agriculture that are tailored to the characteristics of the land they manage. Participants are trained in environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, such as the use of organic fertilizers, natural pest control techniques, and the use of local resources to maximize land productivity. In the field practice session, participants are invited directly to agricultural land to practice these techniques, such as how to apply organic fertilizers or make natural pesticides from materials around them.

The second activity in the program is the development of community-based businesses, namely the production of cassava chips. The training began with an introductory session on the hygienic production process, including how to clean and cut cassava, frying at the right temperature, and packaging techniques to maintain product quality. During the training, community members were taught about food hygiene and safety standards, ensuring that their products meet local market standards.

After mastering the basic production techniques, the training continued with aspects of product packaging and marketing. Participants were trained on how to make packaging, can extend the shelf life of the product and increase its appeal to consumers. They also learned marketing strategies, both through direct sales in the market and the use of social media to promote their cassava chips products. SPSB introduced a collective profit sharing system where the results will be shared fairly among the members involved.

SPSB also provides training for Credit Union (CU), a savings and loan system managed independently by community members. Through CU, community members can access funds for personal and business needs without having to rely on formal financial institutions that often charge high interest rates. Training participants are introduced to simple financial management principles, such as transaction recording, financial planning, and fair lending rules.

SPSB activities in developing community-based businesses, especially cassava chips production and the establishment of Credit Unions (CU) not only provide new skills in processing local products but also create sustainable sources of income for the community. Income from collective businesses is distributed evenly according to agreement, thus supporting the economic life of members and creating financial economic stability at the community level.

In ARAS, SPSB develops the capacity of young and female cadres to understand agrarian rights and strategies to defend the land they have managed collectively. With structured education, community members gain the knowledge to become active protectors of their own land. Education provides important provisions for communities to face potential threats such as land confiscation or legal demands from outside parties. Apart from strengthening agrarian rights, ARAS activities help communities maintain sovereignty over land with an approach based on strengthening local potential.