Local Potential Management for Poverty Alleviation in Maluku

Abstract

Poverty, as a social problem, has a significant impact on human life. Therefore, various theories have been produced for poverty alleviation, followed by various policies. It is carried out by the governments of sovereign countries, organizations, families, and personal efforts. Nevertheless, poverty still exists and even shows fluctuating numbers, as if poverty cannot be eradicated from the lives of humanity. The Central Bureau of Statistics shows that Indonesia’s population in March 2023 reached 280.73 million people with a poverty rate of 9.36% or 29.9 million people, above the average poor population of the world community. In Maluku, the poverty rate was 16.42% in September 2023, which represents 301.61 thousand people. It is an increase from the previous year, which places the poverty of the Maluku people above the average of the world’s poor and the average of the poor in Indonesia. Through research with a unique sociological approach to system theory by Talcott Parsons with his AGIL, it was found that in rural communities, especially in sago-producing countries, poverty can be alleviated not in a moment but sustainably with the quality of life of the community and the quality of the environment that constantly increases. Through qualitative research conducted, it was found that managing and cultivating sago regularly will have an impact on increasing community income, the emergence of new water sources resulting in the emergence of many aquatic animals, the opening of various business lands, the natural environment becomes cool and fertile, and various other benefits. In this way, poverty can be erased in sago-producing communities, with the quality of community life and the environment continuing to improve. Keywords: local potential, poverty alleviation, Maluku