FARMERS PERCEPTIONS AND REVENUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC VEGETABLES
Natelda R. Timisela, Febby J. Polnaya, Stevianus Titaley

Agriculture Faculty, Pattimura University

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the perceptions and income levels of farmers in developing organic vegetable farming. The survey conducted in the villages of Mahu, Haria and Saparua on Saparua Island, Central Maluku Regency, from June to July 2020. The village determination was carried out by purposive sampling because the three villages were the locations for developing organic vegetable farming on Saparua Island. The research sample was 35 organic vegetable farmers who taken deliberately (purposive sampling) because they were the drivers of organic agriculture in the three villages. The results showed that farmers perceptions of the development of organic vegetable farming include benefits (9 indicators), convenience (5 indicators) and farm risk (7 indicators).
Farmers perception of the benefits of organic vegetable farming is higher than 80 percent. Farmers perceptions of the ease of making organic fertilizers and vegetable pesticides are greater than 70 percent, and farmers perceptions of the risk of vegetable farming are greater than 60 percent. The income level of organic vegetable growers in the three villages averaged Rp. 3,500,000 to Rp. 5,000,000/month. The results of the analysis show that the factors of production (X1 = 5.69), depreciation of equipment (X2 = 3.38), the price of organic fertilizer (X3 = 3.37), the price of vegetable pesticides (X4 = 2.17), and land area ( X6 = 2.98) significantly influence the income of organic vegetable farmers. The coefficient of determination of 61.9 percent means that 61.9 percent of the income level can be explained by variables of production, depreciation of equipment, organic fertilizer, vegetable pesticides, labour wages and land area. In comparison, the remaining 38.1 percent of the income level explained by other factors outside the model. A calculated F value of 8.84 means that simultaneously all variables of production, depreciation of equipment, organic fertilizer, vegetable pesticides, labour costs and land area have a significant effect on income variables.

Keywords: Organic, perception, income, vegetables and farmi

Topic: BIOECONOMY AND BIOBUSINESS