Women’s role in supporting the sustainability of smallholder coffee plantations in North Sumatra, Indonesia

This study examines the role of women in managing coffee plantations in traditional North Sumatra communities and its impact on household income, amidst restrictions imposed by the Dalihan Natolu system, a patrilineal tradition limiting their land rights and decision-making power. Using descriptive quantitative methods and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data were collected from six coffee-producing districts to analyze women’s rights to land, crops, and income. The findings reveal that women’s land tenure positively influences their rights to crops and income, emphasizing the need for secure land rights to enhance economic empowerment. Despite their significant contributions to coffee production, cultural norms marginalize women in land ownership, limiting their potential to improve household income. The study calls for institutional and policy reforms to address gender inequality, enhance women’s access to land and decision-making authority, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder coffee plantations, ultimately contributing to economic development and gender equity.