Patron Klien Tengkulak dan Petani Kopi di Desa Sidiangkat Kecamatan Sidikalang Kabupaten Dairi

Abstract

The terms patron and client refer to a pattern of social relationships in which one party, known as the patron, possesses greater power, wealth, or status than the other party, known as the client. This study aims to understand the patron-client relationship between middlemen and coffee farmers in Sidiangkat Village, Sidikalang District, Dairi Regency. The research focuses on identifying the factors contributing to the formation of this relationship and its impacts on coffee farmers. A qualitative approach was used in this study, employing in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis for data collection. The findings reveal that the main factors shaping the patron-client relationship are the farmers’ limited access to markets, the need for capital, and the trust-based relationships established over generations. Middlemen provide financial support and market guarantees; however, this relationship often places farmers at a disadvantage. The impacts of this relationship include economic dependence on middlemen, restrictions on coffee selling prices, and low bargaining power for farmers in the market. This study provides insights into the socio-economic dynamics between farmers and middlemen and highlights the importance of government or institutional interventions to create a fairer trading system for farmers.