Farmers Competency Development to Manage the Seaweed Cultivation in Polyculture at Coastal Area of Java

Abstract

Seaweed is easily cultivated in polyculture, it needs less capital, small risk, the market is open but there are many challenges and obstacles for farmers successfully produce seaweed. The competence of farmers in improving productivity and income and the factors influenced them were the questions of study. The objectives of this study are : (1) to explore competence of farmer in increasing productivity and income and to identify faktors influence them, and (2) to formulate an extension strategies. Research locations were carried out in Bekasi (West Java) and Brebes (Central Java). The data were collected from July 2010 to October 2010, 200 farmers involved from 457 population with sensus sampling. Data analyzed by using descriptively and structural equations model (SEM). Saveral methods of collecting data were questionnaire, interview, observation and reviewing secondary data and related documents. The research results show that : (1) the competence of farmers at a medium category and influenced by the effectiveness of extension, individual characteristics, and the learning process, (2) Low competence affected productivity, (3) Low productivity was influenced by the institutional support, competence and effectiveness of extension, and (4) Low productivity affected low income. Strategy implemented for developing farmers competence model can be achieved by (a) increasing the effectiveness of extension, (b) increasing learning process, and (c) increasing the institutional support.