The Patron-Client Relations in The Distribution Chain of Coffee Products in Jambon Hamlet, Medono Village, Boja Sub-District of Kendal Regency

Abstract

This paper discusses the patron-client relations in the coffee distribution chain in Jambon Hamlet, Medono Village. Before discussing the patron-client relations, this paper first discusses the coffee as one of the main agricultural commodities in Jambon Hamlet. As the main commodity, the coffee has not been able to generate high economic value. The coffee distribution chain in the Jambon Hamlet moves around "internal middlemen" who still have kinship relationships among themselves. Therefore, those middlemen are the main actors in the coffee distribution chain. The distribution chain does not only involve internal middlemen, but also continues to the larger external players, namely middlemen in the Boja market. The problem that will be solved in this research is the patron-client relations, where the middlemen act as the patrons, and the small coffee farmers as their clients. The research method used in this research is a qualitative descriptive. The data sources used are the primary data in the form of in-depth interviews with several informants, and the secondary one obtained from articles, journals and scientific works. The data collection techniques used are documentation, observation and literature study which are then described in the form of written reports. The results of this study indicate that the patron-client relations grow and develop in line with the products distribution of the small farmers who need the middlemen to connect them in fulfilling their daily and social security. The patron-client relations in Jambon mamlet are not only limited between the middlemen and farmers, but it is also a form of duality, where the patrons do not only act as the middlemen, but also as the coffee farmers. Keywords— Coffee Distribution; Patrons-Clients; Middlemen