The Dynamics of Structural Change in Land Conversion and the Transformation of Farmers’ Occupations Following Road Development in Karang Anyer Village, Gunung Maligas District, Simalungun Regency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/jsih.v5i2.14Keywords:
Road Development, Land Conversion, Farmers’ Occupational Transformation, Rural Structural Change, Development SociologyAbstract
This study examines the dynamics of structural change in land conversion and farmers’ occupational transformation following road development in Karang Anyer Village, Gunung Maligas District, Simalungun Regency. Using a descriptive qualitative approach within development sociology, data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving farmers who converted land, farmers who remained in agriculture, new business actors, family members, residents, and farm laborers. The findings show that road development improved accessibility and market connectivity, but also accelerated the conversion of paddy fields into housing, coffee stalls, grocery shops, chicken farms, charcoal factories, oil palm plots, and commercial settlements. Paddy fields declined from 220 hectares in 2022 to 205 hectares in 2025, while several farmers shifted to trade, livestock, and small enterprises. Road development therefore created dual effects: expanding rural economic opportunities while weakening the agrarian base and reshaping farmers’ livelihoods. These changes reveal infrastructure-driven rural restructuring at the village level.
References
Acharyya, R., Majumder, A., Pramanick, N., Mukhopadhyay, A., Pramanik, M., Dhungana, G., Hati, J. P., & Das, B. (2025). A Geo-Intelligent approach in analysing land use transformation and Socio-Economic change (1991–2031) in a tropical metropolitan. Earth Systems and Environment, 1–20.
Adugbila, E. J., Martinez, J. A., & Pfeffer, K. (2023). Road infrastructure expansion and socio-spatial fragmentation in the peri-urban zone in Accra, Ghana. Cities, 133, 104154.
Ahmad, M., & Wilkins, S. (2025). Purposive sampling in qualitative research: A framework for the entire journey. Quality & Quantity, 59(2), 1461–1479.
Chen, K., Wang, Y., Li, N., Xu, Y., Zheng, Y., Zhan, X., & Li, Q. (2023). The impact of farmland use transition on rural livelihood transformation in China. Habitat International, 135, 102784.
Creswell, J. W. (2021). A concise introduction to mixed methods research. SAGE publications.
Cui, H., Wang, Y., Wang, W., & Liu, C. (2025). Rural households’ livelihood transitions in China: processes, drivers and outcomes. China Agricultural Economic Review, 17(1), 171–190.
Dalimunthe, M. A., Irawanto, B., & Budiawan, B. (2020). Representation of Papuan identity in the reporting of local newspapers in Yogyakarta. International Journal of Social Science Research, 2(3), 34–44.
Dalimunthe, M. A., Ohorella, N. R., & Nasution, N. F. (2023). The development of urban farming: Systematics literature review. Journal of Peasants’ Rights, 2(2), 11–16.
Dalimunthe, M. A., Syam, A. M., Suhendar, A., & Ritonga, A. R. (2024). Optimizing Local Regulations in Creating a Balance of Human Health and Environmental Preservation. KOLABORASI: Journal of Multidisciplinary, 1(1), 1–12.
Do, T. D. (2026). Rural Modernization and Livelihood Transitions in Peri-Urban Vietnam: Lessons From New Rural Development in Dai Loc. The Journal of Environment & Development, 35(2), 437–467.
Guan, J., Danzeng, Z., Zhang, X., Gao, X., & Ma, R. (2025). How Does Transport Accessibility Affect Residents’ Livelihood and Land Use Change? Evidence From the Tibetan Plateau. SAGE Open, 15(3), 21582440251368770.
Humaizi, H. N. N. N., Dalimunthe, M. A., & Ramadhani, E. (2024). Harmony in virtual space: Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama (FKUB) development communication in creating digital literacy based on religious moderation. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(7), 4299.
Hutauruk, A. F., Sihaloho, A. N. B., Sitinjak, W., Damanik, H. P., Purba, N. A., Zega, Y. S., & Damanik, A. S. B. (2025). IMPLEMENTASI PERTANIAN MODERN DALAM PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT SEKITAR KAWASAN WISATA PEMANDIAN KARANG ANYER. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Sapangambei Manoktok Hitei, 5(2), 312–322.
Kaiser, N., & Barstow, C. K. (2022). Rural Transportation Infrastructure in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of Impacts, Implications, and Interventions. Sustainability, 14(4), 2149. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042149
Kamaludin, A. S., & Qibthiyyah, R. M. (2022). Village road quality and accessibility on transforming rural development. AGRARIS: Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development Research, 8(2), 160–180.
Kurnia, A. A., Rustiadi, E., Fauzi, A., Pravitasari, A. E., Saizen, I., & Ženka, J. (2022). Understanding industrial land development on rural-urban land transformation of Jakarta Megacity’s outer suburb. Land, 11(5), 670.
Kyeyune, G. N., & Ntayi, J. M. (2025). Empowering rural communities: the role of financial literacy and management in sustainable development. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 6, 1424126.
Li, M., Li, J., Haq, S. ul, & Nadeem, M. (2024). Agriculture land use transformation: A threat to sustainable food production systems, rural food security, and farmer well-being? PLoS One, 19(1), e0296332.
Lim, W. M. (2025). What is qualitative research? An overview and guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(2), 199–229.
Long, H. (2022). Theorizing land use transitions: A human geography perspective. Habitat International, 128, 102669.
Ma, W., Sonobe, T., & Gong, B. (2024). Linking farmers to markets: Barriers, solutions, and policy options. Economic Analysis and Policy, 82, 1102–1112.
Makbul, Y., Ratnaningtyas, S., & Wijaya, N. (2024). Impact of toll road to agricultural land conversion for sustainable development: A systematic literature review. Journal of Regional and City Planning, 35(3), 244–259.
Manlosa, A. O. (2022). Operationalizing agency in livelihoods research: smallholder farming livelihoods in southwest Ethiopia. Ecology and Society, 27(1).
Ohorella, N. R., Fauziah, D., & Dalimunthe, M. A. (2024). Brand Awareness Communication Strategy in Setujuan Coffee Marketing on Instagram Social Media. KomunikA, 20(02), 46–57.
Prokopowicz, D. (2020). Implementation of the Principles of Sustainable Economy Development As a Key Element of the Pro-Ecological Transformation of the Economy Towards Green Economy and Circular Economy. In International Journal of New Economics and Social Sciences (Vol. 11, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.3558
Pu, L., Gamage, M. K., Li, N., Barton, M., Feenstra, M., Todorovic, M., & Moyle, W. (2025). Reviewing the landscape of the decision-making process for pain assessment and management for people living with dementia: A systematic review. Geriatric Nursing, 61, 50–63.
Purba, A. M., Dirbawanto, N. D., & Dalimunthe, M. A. (2025). Urban digitalization through clean energy: policies and communication of Medan City government towards “Medan Smart City.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1445(1), 12067.
Putra, I. D. G., Setijanti, P., & Dinapradipta, A. (2025). Typological Analysis of Commercialization-Induced Spatial Transformations in Traditional Balinese Houses. Journal of Design and Built Environment, 25(2), 78–95.
Ritonga, A. R., Thamrin, M. H., Siahaan, H., Dalimunthe, M., & Nur’aini, N. (2024). Promotion of ecotourism and communication policy in increasing tourists in Indonesia. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(8), 4764.
Saraan, M. I. K., Rambe, R., Syam, A. M., Suhendar, A., Dalimunthe, M. A., & Sinaga, R. P. K. (2024). The application of fertilizer subsidies in the context of coffee plantations in Pollung Sub-District, Humbang Hasundutan District, North Sumatra Province. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1352(1), 12012.
Saragih, J. R., Harahap, M. A. K., Sidabukke, S. H., Triastuti, H., & Purba, J. (2025). Assessment of village accessibility and community mobility to enhance socioeconomic conditions of rural communities. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(8), 2025465.
Suganda, L. T., & Setyono, J. S. (2026). From Farmland to Housing: Assessing the Consequences of Agricultural Land Conversion for Farmers’ Welfare and Food Security. Forum Geografi, 40(2), 197–212.
Suhendar, A., Halimi, M., Taufika, R., Batubara, T., & Rawanoko, E. S. (2024). Fostering environmental responsibility among students: Collaborative strategies between village heads and school principals. Education, Environmental and Society Research, 1(1), 33–45.
Sukri, I., & Harini, R. (2023). Effect of Transportation Infrastructure on Built-up Area Using Prediction of Land Use/Cover Change: Case Study of Yogyakarta International Airport, Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Geography, 55(1).
Syaban, A. S. N., & Appiah-Opoku, S. (2024). Unveiling the complexities of land use transition in indonesia’s new capital city IKN Nusantara: A multidimensional conflict analysis. Land, 13(5), 606.
Ugwu, M. C., Agunbiade, O., & Auta, G. A. (2025). Impact of Road Transport Network on the Marketing of Agricultural Products: A Case Study of Karu Lga of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Nigeria. Indiana Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(9), 19–27.
Ustaoglu, E., & Williams, B. (2022). Institutional settings and effects on agricultural land conversion: A global and spatial analysis of European regions. Land, 12(1), 47.
Yang, Q., Gao, Y., Yang, X., & Zhang, J. (2022). Rural transformation driven by households’ adaptation to climate, policy, market, and urbanization: Perspectives from livelihoods–land use on Chinese Loess Plateau. Agriculture, 12(8), 1111.
Zhang, Y., Wang, Q., Hu, Y., Wang, W., & Mao, X. (2025). Analysis of the evolution of Non-Agriculturization arable land use pattern and its driving mechanisms. Land, 14(5), 968.
Zhang, Y., & Zhao, W. (2025). Enhancing Chinese farmers’ livelihoods: the role of non-agricultural employment and social capital. Human Ecology, 53(1), 99–112.
