Book (draft): "ISLAMIC AGRICULTURAL SOCIOECONOMICS"

Title: ISLAMIC AGRICULTURAL SOCIOECONOMICS: Theory, Urgency, and Practice in the World

By: Dr. Ir. SYAHYUTI, MSi.

Author's Introduction

The reason for writing this book is “so simple”. For over 30 years (since 1992), I worked as a researcher at the Agricultural Socio-Economic Research Office, followed by three years at the National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN), overseeing research on People's Economy, Pancasila Economy, and Sharia Economy. Furthermore, I am Muslim, and a researcher whose duties include writing. Thus, this simple book was written: "Islamic Agricultural Socio-Economics."

Yes, its main mission is to engage and raise awareness and concern among academics, while also conveying data and information, albeit crude, that demonstrates how the world has made serious moves to develop Sharia-compliant agricultural socio-economics. Evidence of this is found in learning on campuses (both religious and general), government institutions, empowerment by international and local NGOs, research institutions, journals, and scientific events (seminars and symposia).

Agriculture in Islam is not just an economic activity, but also an act of worship steeped in the values of divinity, justice, social responsibility, and sustainability. The book, "ISLAMIC AGRICULTURAL SOCIO-ECONOMICS: Theory, Urgency, and Practice in the World," is designed to address the challenges of a time when the global agricultural sector is facing an ecological crisis, unequal distribution of resources, and the degradation of human values. From an Islamic perspective, this book offers a holistic solution—integrating sharia principles with modern agricultural practices to achieve equitable food security.

Amidst the dominance of an exploitative industrial agricultural system, Islam offers an alternative paradigm. Islam provides guidance for farming, based on a divine mandate, implemented in accordance with all sharia principles, and aimed at socio-economic justice and ecological sustainability.

This book is designed for all stakeholders. Academics offer various new concepts and theoretical frameworks. Practitioners are expected to provide concrete examples of Islamic agricultural activities and movements in various countries, while governments and financial institutions will use it as a reference for Islamic agricultural policies and financing.

The book's perspective is: First, through existing knowledge. Therefore, it counters, then demonstrates its weaknesses and how Islam can improve them, along with existing factual evidence. So, it doesn't start with Islamic concepts. Because we're not starting from scratch. Second, by comparing them with existing knowledge. It begins with current theory and practice and their dangers. Only then does it introduce Islamic "perfections." So, in this book, I deconstruct agricultural socio-economic science, then reconstruct it, and finally draw conclusions.

I understand agricultural socio-economics—by reviewing books and courses at universities at home and abroad—as an object formed by at least six basic sciences: (agricultural) economics, sociology, anthropology, management, communication, and politics.

This book is primarily about concepts. For me, concepts are more important than theory. Concepts are above theory. There is no theory without concepts. Concepts are the essential element of science, not theory. Theory is the relationship between two or more concepts.

Some concepts are actually "Islamic," built on the spirit of universal values of truth and divine nature, such as agrarian reform, Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), organic farming, animal welfare, cooperatives, food sovereignty, family farming, and fair trade (as an antidote to free trade). However, in this book, I have "completed" them with Islamic values and ethics, primarily focusing on the role of humans as caliphs (khalifah), justice (adl), responsibility, and environmental protection. I have constructed 16 new concepts here as a first step in their globalization in academia and practice (explained in chapter VI.)

This book is expected to spark discussion and collective action to build an agricultural system that is not only productive but also just and blessed, in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Blessings in this world, blessings in the hereafter. Amen.

 

SYAHYUTI

https://linktr.ee/yutisyahyuti

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter I. INTRODUCTION

• Background

• Purpose of Writing

• Writing Method

• Book Systematics

Chapter II. PROBLEMS AND ROOTS OF AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS

2.1. Global agricultural problems: food, agriculture, farmers

2.2. Roots of the Problem: Concepts and Approaches

• Economics vs. Agricultural Economics

• Agricultural Economics vs. Agribusiness

• Agricultural Economics vs. Agribusiness Management (AEM)

2.3. The Pros and Cons of Agribusiness

• Root Causes

• Ignored Anti-Mainstream Theories

Chapter III. LEARNING AGRICULTURAL SOCIO-ECONOMICS IN INDONESIA

3.1. Variety of Faculties, Departments, and Curricula

3.2. Textbooks Used

3.3. Agricultural Socio-Economic Research and Journals

Chapter IV. CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ISLAMIC AGRICULTURAL SOCIO-ECONOMICS

4.1. The Need to Develop an Islamic Agricultural Socio-ECONOMIC Concept

4.2. Islamic Socio-ECONOMICS as a Science

4.3. "Socioeconomic" vs. "Socioeconomic" vs. "Social Economy"

4.4. Formulating the Concept of "Islamic Agricultural Socioeconomics"

4.5. Principles of Islamic Agricultural Socioeconomics

• Justice

• Sustainability

• Social Responsibility

4.6. Why is the Islamic Agricultural Approach Better?

Chapter V. GLOBAL ISLAMIC AGRICULTURAL MOVEMENT

5.1. Knowledge: The East as Light

5.2. Global Movement: in Islamic and Non-Islamic Countries

• Education and Research

• Books and Journals

• Seminars and Symposiums

• Global Farmer Organizations and Empowerment Actions

5.3. Movement in Indonesia

• Education and Research

• Books and Journals

• Seminars and Symposiums

• Organizations and Empowerment Actions

Chapter VI. ISLAMIZING WORLD AGRICULTURE

6.1. Perfecting the Arab Agricultural Revolution

6.2. "Already Islamic" Concepts

6.3. New Concepts That Need to be Championed Globally

1. Islamic Agrarian Reform

2. Islamic Organic Agriculture

3. Islamic Agricultural Financing

4. Islamic Agricultural Labor System

5. Islamic Agricultural Gender

6. Islamic Supply Chain

7. Islamic Food Security: Halal Food

8. Islamic Food Economy

9. Islamic Food System

10. Islamic Agricultural Extension

11. Islamic Food Sovereignty

12. Islamic Cooperative

13. Islamic Family Farming

14. Islamic Agricultural Economy

15. Islamic Agribusiness

16. Islamic Agricultural Socioeconomy

Chapter VII. ISLAMIZING INDONESIAN AGRICULTURE

7.1. Intend that Farming is an Act of Worship

7.2. Sharia Agrarian Reform

7.3. Sharia Agricultural Capital

7.4. Sharia-compliant Pawning

7.5. Agricultural Education through Islamic Boarding Schools

7.6. Agricultural Campuses

Chapter VIII. STRATEGY AND STEPS FORWARD

8.1. Structure of Islamic Agricultural Socio-Economic Sciences

8.2. The Need for a More Productive Conceptual Discourse

8.2. Institutions: Actors and Roles

8.3. Regulations and Programs

 

*******