Dwi Ratna Hidayati

Wilayah lumbung pangan Bojonegoro perlu didukung oleh penyedia input pertanian yang memadai. UD Petro Gozenda merupakan Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah (UMKM) yang bergerak di bidang penyedia produk input pertanian bagi para petani lokal. Penelitian ini bertujuan merumuskan strategi fungsional pada tiga aspek yakni pemasaran, keuangan dan sumber daya manusia (SDM). Metode yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Metode kualitatif menggunakan In-depth Interview kepada pemilik usaha serta karyawan, sedangkan metode kuantitatif menggunakan interview terstruktur yang dianalisa dengan SWOT analysis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketiga aspek berada pada kuadran strategi SO (Strength dan Opportunity). Prioritas strategi yang direkomendasikan adalah aspek keuangan, pemasaran dan SDM. Strategi keuangan mencakup digitalisasi sistem keuangan serta fasilitasi pembayaran non tunai (cashless). Strategi pemasaran perlu mempertahankan ketersediaan produk, peningkatan penjualan produk bersertifikasi dan organik, serta menjaga hubungan baik dengan pemasok. Strategi SDM fokus pada upaya akses fasilitasi pelatihan dari pemerintah, pelatihan mandiri, perbaikan SOP, dan mempertahankan bonus/reward bagi SDM berprestasi secara berkala.

The adoption of circular economy approaches in agri-food value chains in developing countries remains underexplored, particularly in contexts dominated by smallholder farmers. This paper aims to analyze existing circular practices and identify key barriers to circular transformation in developing country agri-food value chains, with a specific focus on Indonesia. Using a qualitative research design, the study draws on semi-structured interviews, with different value chain players, to empirically examine circularity within the cashew value chain in Indonesia. The findings reveal that while a range of circular practices are undertaken by individual actors across the value chain, these activities remain largely fragmented and weakly coordinated. Key barriers to further circular transformation include limited awareness, economic imperatives, constrained access to appropriate technologies, and insufficient institutional support. Notably, access to finance was not perceived as a major constraint. This study contributes to the literature by providing a multi-actor, value chain perspective on circularity in smallholder-based agri-food systems in developing countries. It offers novel empirical evidence that existing informal circular practices play an important role and should be preserved as value chains modernize. The findings further highlight the importance of stronger vertical and horizontal coordination to scale and integrate circular activities and support a more holistic sustainable transition.

The benefits of blue economic development and coastal community development are often conflicting, as many blue economic development project holders are non-local investors and decisions on such projects tend to insufficiently involve communities. The research objective is to analyse the requirements for such interlinkages and to design, test and validate under which circumstances and for which particular products or services this is sufficiently feasible. We call for a novel research agenda which connects divergent claims and benefits. This paper employs Resource Dependency Theory to establish a framework and conduct a purposeful and context-specific literature review of documented cases in ASEAN countries, given the large number of rural coastal communities and the current blue economy policies and projects in this specific region. The first review identifies specific requirements and factors that contribute to or hinder blue economic development and coastal community development. The analysis then focuses on one or more specific case studies/case areas in Madura, Indonesia (or other locations). Hereby, we examined specific development factors, relying on statistics and socio-economic development indicators. The study demonstrates that the lack of coordination across sectoral policies (both at local and central levels) has exacerbated conflicts between communities, seaweed farmers, private enterprises and governments at both local and central levels. These conflicts demonstrate that the blue economy’s rhetoric of inclusive development is not aligned with the practical realities faced by small-scale producers. Moreover, the competition between seaweed farming, fish farming, tourism, and industrial development undermines the ability of small-scale actors to access and utilise marine resources securely. Policies that empower small-scale producers, strengthen local institutions, and promote cross-sectoral coordination would create more effective and sustainable blue economy development.

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy policy and the impact of input use on corn production. The policy impact was measured using technical inefficiency in corn production. This study employed a case study on Madura Island, Indonesia. A total of 135 farmer respondents were selected using the multistage random sampling method. A series of analyses was conducted, incorporating the Cobb-Douglas Frontier Stochastic production function within the Technical Efficiency Impact Model. Five dimensions (planning, access via farmer cards, non-farmer cardholders, distribution, and the fundamental principles of ensuring the right quantity, right timing, right location, right price and right quality), derived from the Regulation of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture concerning the 2022 fertilizer subsidy policy, were used as the key measurements for assessing policy effectiveness. The results showed that the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy policy was in the effective category. The inputs that positively impacted corn production were land area, seeds, urea fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, manure, workers, and insecticides. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy policy showed a positive impact on technical efficiency. This study can provide stakeholders with an overview of the effectiveness of the policy, serving as evaluation material. Improvements in production and technical efficiency after the change in fertilizer subsidy policy in corn farming on Madura Island can be achieved through the allocation of inputs according to recommendations. Additionally, enhancing the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy policy implementation can be considered a strategy to improve technical efficiency in corn farming.

Cashew integration farming in Sampang Regency holds promising potential, as the region is one of the main cashew-producing areas in East Java Province. However, high poverty levels also characterize Sampang, and there is a lack of research exploring the impact of integrated cashew farming systems on farmers' income. This study aims to identify the implementation of cashew integration farming and to examine the relationship between the implementation of the 4F concept (Food, Feed, Fuel, Fertilizer) and farmers' income in Sampang Regency. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Primary data were collected from September to December 2024 through observation, interviews, and questionnaires in Banyusokah Village, Ketapang Subdistrict of Sampang Regency. The study population comprised farmers practicing integrated cashew farming in the region. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 cashew farmers who also rear livestock as respondents. The variables examined in this study centred on cashew production activities contributing to income (fixed and variable costs, production volume, and market price), as well as integrated farming practices associated with the 4F framework. Data were analysed using descriptive quantitative methods (statistical analyses using frequency distributions), income analysis, and chi-square tests. The results indicate that cashew-livestock integration farming is mutually beneficial, particularly through the provision of animal feed and organic manure, as well as the production of food and fuel. Cashew farmers applied mainly 3F, and their average income was IDR 2.501.318. However, there is no significant relationship between the application of the 4F concept and the income levels of farmers engaged in cashew-livestock farming in Sampang Regency. Farmers need hands-on guidance to enhance the 4F (Food, Feed, Fuel, Fertilizer) in order to improve their income.

The integration of crops and livestock is a common practice in agriculture, particularly within the cashew farming sector. This approach supports the efficient use of limited land resources and promotes sustainable agricultural development. Nevertheless, its economic implications for farmers warrant closer investigation. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between integrated farming practices and farm income in Sumenep District, East Java Province. The analysis employed the 4F framework (food, feed, fuel, and fertilizer) as the basis for integrated farming practice. The study used a quantitative approach. A total of 40 farmers were collected for the study and analysed using frequency distribution, income analysis, and the Chi-Square test). Most farmers applied the 3F system, with two variations: food–feed–fertilizer and food–fertilizer–fuel. An average income was Rp 24,369,217 per hectare, however, the majority of farmers reported income levels below Rp 5 million. The Chi-Square analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the implementation of integrated farming (through the 4F framework) and the income of cashew farmers. Further intervention is needed to strengthen integrated farming practices in order to improve farmers’ income.

Indonesia merupakan negara penghasil rumput laut dengan mayoritas produk dijual dalam bentuk raw material/bahan baku ke pasar global. Guna mendukung pengembangan sektor rumput laut dalam negeri, pengembangan UMKM menjadi salah satu kunci. Namun, kinerja UMKM seringkali terkendala dalam aktivitas manajemen supply chain. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan mengevaluasi kinerja UMKM Bunga Seroja yang merupakan pionir bisnis di bidang rumput laut di wilayah Kabupaten Sumenep. Kabupaten Sumenep merupakan sentral penghasil rumput laut di Provinsi Jawa Timur di Indonesia. Metode pendekatan yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dan kuantitatif, dengan memakai kerangka Supply Chain operation Reference (SCOR) yang meliputi plan, source, make, deliver dan return. Analisa kuantitatif menggunakan matrik SCOR dan dianalisa dengan menggunakan Deskriptif kuantitatif dan Central Tendency Analysis. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa UMKM Bunga Seroja memiliki rata-rata performa kinerja kategori sedang (3,4). Aktivitas kegiatan produksi sampai pengiriman produk masih perlu pengembangan terutama pada aspek deliver, return, dan make. Selain itu, pemanfaatan teknologi berupa digitalisasi komunikasi dengan pelanggan perlu diperkenalkan kepada UMKM untuk memperbaiki kinerja.

This paper aims to examine the understanding of the salt farmers regarding the Internet of Things (IoT) tool innovation and analyse their perceptions using five key innovation characteristics (Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Trialability, and Observability). Internet of Things (IoT) has been considered as a key technology to assist in salt production improvements in Indonesia due to the continuing decline in production caused by climate change, especially in Madura Island. There was more than 75% decrease since 2019. In response, the Faculty of Agriculture at Trunojoyo University of Madura, Indonesia, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia, conducted a socialization initiative for the salt farmer community in Pamekasan Madura on the importance of digitizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The socialization focused on an innovative product, the real-time monitoring tool 'Madura Smart Salt House (Mass),' specifically developed by UTP’s students. This tool aids in monitoring humidity, salinity levels, and weather on salt farms. A total of 20 salt farmers participated in the socialization. Pre- and post-survey were conducted to address participant understanding in before and after socialization around tool's functions and operations, followed by a survey on five key innovation characteristics. The data was analysed using descriptive quantitative (Frequency distribution). The evaluation results indicated that the salt farmers gained an increased understanding of the importance of IoT in salt farming. However, elements such as complexity, trialability, and observability have caused some hesitation among the farmers in adopting the innovation. Despite this, the farmers are confident that the innovation can offer relative advantages and possess characteristics that can be adapted to the existing culture of their salt farming practices.

Purpose: Agrifood value chains in developing countries are transforming into higher value markets which require sustainable practices, with smallholders playing a critical role. However, smallholders are a heterogeneous group which may have discrepancies in outcomes to meet sustainability standards. This paper aims to empirically investigate smallholders' heterogeneity towards sustainable value chain practice in developing countries.Design/methodology/approach: Eight key enabling factors of sustainable value chain transformation were used to explore smallholders' typology, then profiled, based on their socio-economic status and current practices. A quantitative method was applied in Indonesia's cashew sector with 159 respondents from the primary producer area on Madura Island. A combination of descriptive analysis, cluster analysis, cross-tab analysis and one-way ANOVA analysis was used in this study.Findings: Four types of groups were identified, each with distinct characteristics and arranged in priority order as follows: accelerator, progressor, inattentive and conservative groups. Interventions can be implemented on per clusters basis or based on potential similarities among clusters, depending on priority. It is noted that the pursuit of sustainable value chain practices by smallholders is not necessarily associated with high socio-economic status, as those with low socio-economic status may have a stronger inclination towards them.Practical implications: The paper enhances awareness of practitioners and policymakers regarding smallholders' heterogeneity in sustainable value chain practice. It enables more effective and focused interventions to support smallholders who require assistance in sustainable production and value-adding activities. Different smallholders' characteristics call for different assistance/intervention. Practitioners can recognise smallholders' characteristics that are more compatible with higher value markets and sustainability requirements to better integrate their practices. Policymakers must carefully develop short-term and long-term interventions based on the activities prioritised by particular traits to “hit the right button” for smallholders' practice development.Originality/value: This study investigates the typology of smallholders towards sustainable value chain practices by using eight enabling factors and profiling them based on their socio-economic condition and current practices. Additionally, this study shifts the focus of typology exploration away from the traditional lens of farm sustainability to a larger perspective which encompasses sustainable value chain activities.