TEAMWORK IN THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC COCONUT SUGAR
Both females and males play equal roles in the coconut sugar production.
Achieving good quality coconut sugar is only through the good teamwork between husband (male farmer) and wife (female farmer).
Usually, the husband has the responsibility to tap the coconut nectar/sap (menderes). Meanwhile, the wife will cook the coconut nectar into coconut sugar (mengindel).
TEAMWORK THAT CREATES QUALITY
Producing organic coconut sugar involves a lot of work.
The husband prepares the firewood, cleans the nectar tapping tools (a sickle, bucket, and many more). Meanwhile, the wife prepares the fireplace, keeps the kitchen clean, and packs the finished processed coconut sugar.
All these processes of producing organic coconut sugar are alternated between the husband and his wife.
The process began early in the morning when the husband started tapping the coconut nectar until the wife prepared the equipment to process the coconut sugar. This process required close communication and good teamwork between the husband and his wife.
Coconut nectar is a substance that is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, weather, and external contamination by aromas and bacteria from the outside. As a result, producing coconut sugar requires precision, good teamwork, and communication between the husband and his wife. Both while processing the sugar and maintaining the kitchen’s cleanliness and coconut sugar processing tools.
Therefore, making coconut sugar demands precision, teamwork, and communication between the man (husband) and the woman (wife)
A STORY from KUSMEDI AND KARSINEM
Furthermore, we can learn about the teamwork from Kusmedi and Karsinem. They are our registered farmers in Banyumas Regency.
As his husband and wife, they have always been a well-coordinated team, during producing the organic coconut sugar.
Kusmedi said discipline is crucial in producing high-quality coconut sugar. This personality should cover all production processes, including collecting coconut nectar.
For instance, farmers must commit to the right time to tap the coconut trees. His wife, Karsinem, also added that it is necessary to show discipline in maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen and sugar processing tools. It must be cleaned daily and kept in a suitable place.
Hence, the sugar processing tools should be able to place it appropriately. Moreover, they help each other to cook the coconut sugar. When Kusmedi was about to tap the coconut tree, Karsonem had already prepared the hearth. Accordingly, when the coconut nectar came, the fireplace was ready process it.
On the other hand, they also collaborate when processing the coconut sugar. Kusmedi was responsible for ‘crushing’ the semi-finished coconut sugar pasta. At the same time, his wife sifted coconut sugar until it became smooth. Thus, the process will finish faster.
They help each other to make the coconut sugar
GENDER ANALYSIS
The previous explanation shows that males and females have an equal role in producing coconut sugar. No one has a more critical role. If someone neglects to perform their function, then the quality of the coconut sugar will be jeopardized.
However, teamwork in the production process is not limited to working together by those male and female farmers.
Nevertheless, teamwork indicates how accuracy, precision, communication, and collaboration between males and females to produce coconut sugar.
All farmers can do the same job, regardless of gender. However, there are some tasks that only one party can do.
Ultimately, to produce high quality coconut sugar, good harmony between the husband (as Penderes/Tapper) and wife (Pengindel/Coconut Nectar processor) is required during all stages of the production process.
We need good cooperation and harmonious cooperation between the couple since this is a long production process.