The Role Of The Keujreun Blang Customary Institution In Strengthening Resilience And The Local Economy Of Farming Communities In West Aceh

Abstract

This study explores the strategic role of the Keujreun Blang customary institution in strengthening food security and the local economy in Aceh through sustainable agrarian management. The focus is on the customary institution that coordinates irrigation, planting deliberations, mutual assistance (meuseuraya), and the resolution of agricultural conflicts. Based on Putnam's social capital framework and the FAO's four pillars of food security (availability, access, utilization, and stability), the study employs a qualitative approach to examine institutional roles using participatory observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, farmers, and village officials, as well as an analysis of local legal documents (Qanun, Pergub). Field findings indicate that the role of Keujreun Blang is not only as a technical regulator of agriculture but also as a social institution that bridges local knowledge, collective norms, and community actions in strengthening food security and the local economy. One of the roles of Keujreun Blang in supporting food security and the local economy is by regulating collective planting schedules and fair water distribution through inclusive deliberative mechanisms to ensure food availability and access. The Keujreun Blang institution further strengthens the values of reciprocity and social solidarity through food redistribution and emergency response during crises, thereby fostering food and economic stability within the community. These findings expand the application of Putnam's social capital theory in an agrarian context and demonstrate that customary institutions are not merely cultural heritage but essential autonomous social infrastructure for local economic resilience and development