Determinasi Makna Nilai-Nilai Lokal dalam Tindakan Pengolahan Kopi Sebagai Upaya Petani Meningkatkan Nilai Ekonomi

Abstract

The research is grounded in the importance of coffee as both an economic commodity and a socio-cultural identity for the community, noting that the processing methods continue to uphold various local values ​​passed down through generations. This study aims to identify the significance of local values ​​within coffee processing activities and to describe the role these values ​​play in the strategies employed by coffee farmers to enhance the economic value of their products in Enrekang Regency. A qualitative approach utilizing an ethnographic method was employed. The study was conducted in the Baroko and Masalle Districts of Enrekang Regency. Informants were selected via purposive sampling based on criteria such as active involvement in coffee processing, an understanding of local culture, and practical experience in the processing workflow. Data were gathered through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using a symbolic interactionist framework. The findings reveal that coffee processing activities embody local values—specifically togetherness, social solidarity, honesty, religiosity, hard work, and respect for nature—which serve as guiding principles for the social and economic lives of the farming community. These values ​​are reflected across various stages of coffee processing and constitute an integral part of the community's cultural identity. Viewed through the lens of symbolic interactionism, coffee processing is understood as a social action possessing both cultural and economic significance. The application of these local values ​​contributes to improved coffee quality, increased consumer trust, higher selling prices, enhanced product competitiveness, and farming sustainability, thereby boosting the economic value for coffee farmers in Enrekang Regency.