Identifying Institutions and Strategic Programs to Increase Sugarcane Production in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

The decline in the productivity of the national sugarcane commodity has become an issue in the last ten years. When domestic demand for sugar is increasing, the decline in productivity indicates a crisis in sugarcane production. At the same time, the involved institutions and strategic programs to encourage sugarcane production have not been well identified. The research aims to determine the institutions that are expected to play a role and the strategic programs that are prioritized in increasing sugarcane production in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. This study uses Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to formulate complexity, hierarchy (levels) and classification among elements. The results showed that of the 14 sub-elements of the acting institutions studied, five institutions were key actors for increasing production, namely banking institutions; universities; agricultural, plantation and fisheries offices; industry, trade, cooperatives, & Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs') offices; and private companies. Then, from the 13 sub-elements of the strategic programs, there are five strategic programs that also serve as the key programs, namely extension/assisting farmers; addition of plantation labor; providing access to capital; variations of profit-sharing and buying systems of sugarcane; and accuracy of time and adequacy of the supply of raw materials to the mills. This means that these institutions must play an important role, as well as strategic programs that must be carried out effectively to address the issue of sugarcane production in the country. Thus, researchers recommend involving all stakeholders in conducting strategic programs with the key actors as the leading driving institutions

Analysis of strategic programs in planning and developing cocoa agribusiness in Bantaeng Regency

The fluctuation of production levels, low innovation adoption rates, and low cocoa prices at the farm level are important problems in cocoa agribusiness that cannot be allowed to prolong, especially in production centers such as Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The purpose of this research is to provides strategic program recommendations as a reference for policymakers in designing cocoa agribusiness planning and development. This research used Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) analysis to be able to formulate a complex policy structure based on elements and formulate a hierarchy of relationships between elements. The results show that there are five key programs in planning and developing cocoa agribusiness in Bantaeng Regency, namely effectiveness of extension in the field, capacity building of extension workers, the establishment of farming partnerships with companies, the establishment of specialized cocoa development team, and guarantee of price stability. These key programs need to be assisted by supporting programs such as institutional development programs, effective coordination between institutions, effective technology transfer to farmers, provision of organic technology, providing rewards for farmers, providing access to capital, strengthening digital marketing, and improving cocoa quality through fermentation. Based on the interpretation of this research, stakeholders need to have an understanding of the priorities and synergy between programs to ensure the development of cocoa agribusiness that is right on target and in accordance with the needs and conditions currently faced

Financial Prospects of Porang Cultivation in East Lombok Regency, Indonesia

Porang or Amphophallus, locally known as porang or suweg, is a plant widely cultivated using traditional ecological knowledge in East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. However, the increasing number of farmers in several villages in East Lombok Regency is still not followed by knowledge and skills in accordance with good agricultural practices. This study investigated the prospects of porang cultivation in East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. The research used quantitative methods through a feasibility study approach on financial aspects. Data were collected by FGDs and interviews with 25 farmers, including key informants who were purposively selected considering having expertise and knowledge about porang in East Lombok Regency. The results showed that the prospect of porang through financial aspects in East Lombok Regency is prospective and profitable. This is evidenced by the R/C ratio of 2.1, the B/C ratio of 1.01, and the BEP of Rp27,471,818/Ha