Analisis Pemanfaatan Kelapa untuk Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Teupah Selatan di Pulau Simeulue

Abstract

Coconut is a plant that can be use in almost all parts so it is often referred to as a multipurpose plant, especially for coastal communities. Simeulue is an area with coconut potential because of its geographical location surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The initial phenomenon that was obtained was the potential of coconut on Simeulue Island, especially Teupah Selatan District as the area with the most coconut yields on Simeulue Island, still not utilizing coconuts optimally for the welfare of the community. Coconuts are only used for factory needs and daily life. In addition, the worsening condition of the coconut land has caused coconuts on Simeulue Island to decline due to the lack of public attention so factories established in Teupah Selatan District need to import coconuts from Simelue Island. This research is qualitative research with ethnographic methods. Data were collected through data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. Data in the form of audio-video recordings by several informants at the research location. The research location is Teupah Selatan District, Simeulue Island, Aceh Province. The key informant in this study was the Secretary of the Teupah Selatan Sub-district. The main informants in this study were coconut land owners in Teupah Selatan District, and coconut shell charcoal business owners in Teupah Selatan District, and 2 workers at the location where charcoal is made from coconut shells. As well as additional informants from coconut flour factory workers in South Teupah District and members of the Plantation, Livestock, and Health Service of Simeulue Regency. The results of the research show that the South Teupah community is still active in using coconut for daily life and has succeeded in making a business of processing coconut into value-added products such as charcoal which can improve community welfare. The use of coconuts on Simelue Island can improve community welfare. Value added to coconut, especially the manufacture of coconut derivative products, will increase community motivation to maintain production and increase coconut productivity while protecting coconut land and their culture because coconut utilization activities will continue to be sustainable without damaging the environment.