LIVELIHOODS OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN KONDO VILLAGE, SOUTH PAPUA, INDONESIA: A STUDY OF AGRICULTURE, HUNTING, AND FISHING PRACTICES

Abstract

This study explored the livelihoods of coastal communities. The study was conducted in Kondo Village, Naukenjerai District, Merauke Regency, Indonesia. The study area borders directly with the coastal of Papua New Guinea and has a high level of livelihood vulnerability due to climate change. This study used an exploratory qualitative research approach with a survey method. Primary data sources were obtained using field observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires. The number of respondents in this study was 71 people consisting of 56 village community respondents and 15 key informant respondents. The results showed that the community's livelihoods from hunting in the forest (deer and wild boar), and fishing in swamps and coastal areas around the community's residence are carried out traditionally and have not provided a significant economic contribution to improving the welfare of the community in Kondo Village. Cultivation activities such as rice and tubers are produced to meet household consumption needs carried out on narrow land and none are sold as a source of family income. The management of natural resources that have the potential to provide livelihoods and economic value to coastal communities has not been optimally utilized due to limited human resources in their management, as well as limited access to capital, infrastructure, and markets. Fishing activities in swamps and coastal areas and hunting wild animals in the forest are among the sources of livelihood that have economic value if there are traders who are ready to buy. To improve the livelihoods of coastal communities sustainably, the role of various parties is crucial to address the high level of community vulnerability and efforts to diversify livelihood sources for the community by implementing food processing technology from agricultural and aquatic cultivation products. The results of the study recommend cross-sector coordination in the development of basic infrastructure, strengthening capital capacity, and human resources to improve natural resource management and the sustainability of coastal community livelihoods.