Affiliations:
Doctoral Program in Agribusiness, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia
The modernization of agriculture (Green Revolution) has produced significant social impacts on rural farming communities, influencing class structure, gender roles, and community organization. This study aims to: (1) identify the characteristics and social structure of rural farmers, (2) examine the factors driving social change, and (3) explore the social issues arising within farming communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative data were collected from 15 purposively selected informants, and quantitative data were gathered from 90 randomly chosen rice farmers. The findings show four main farmer groups: large farmers with extensive land, medium farmers with adequate land, small farmers with limited land, and landless laborers. Key drivers of social change include demographic shifts, urbanization, changing social stratification, social movements, and technological developments. In South Sulawesi, especially in Sidrap Regency, changes in land ownership, population growth, the adoption of modern inputs, and mechanization have intensified social polarization and stratification. These changes often marginalize small farmers, highlighting the need for government policies that expand agricultural employment opportunities and strengthen rural production institutions.
Agricultural modernization, Rural farmers, Social change, Land ownership, Mechanization
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.12.022
Tahir, R., Agusanty, H., & Hikmah, H. (2025). Agricultural modernization as a prime mover of social change in farming communities. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(12), 244–252. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.12.022