Prime Commodity Determination of Papua Barat Agribusiness Development.

Abstract

Agriculture resources of Papua Barat should be exerted effectively to boost the regional economy. Prime commodity based agribusiness development is one of many approaches that can be used to improve the Papua Barat competitiveness. The aim of this study were to determine the Papua Barat prime commodity and its production area, and establish a recommendation on Papua Barat agribusiness development. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritizing the commodity from each of four sectors that were planned to be developed: crops, horticulture, estate and livestock. The criteria used were agro-ecosystem suitability (sub-criteria: productivity, production and its tren), economic factors (income, feasibility, trade and processing industry avaibility) and regional carrying capacity (capital, market, technology, human resources, institution, facilities and government policy). The AHP showed that for the crop sector, the prime commodities are paddy (0,219), sweet potato (0,184) and peanut (0,165) respectively. Though in term of agro-ecosystem suitability paddy has the lowest weight (0,105), but paddy become the prime commodity since it has the highest weight of economic factor 0,333 and regional carrying capacity weight 0,218. Considering the agro-acosystem, then Manokwari and Sorong can be recommended as main paddy production area in Papua Barat. The same area can be projected as a main production area for sweet potato as well, which become the second prime commodity as its economic weight 0,256 and agro-ecosystem suitability weight is 0.184. Meanwhile, the third prime commodity, peanut, should be produced in Manokwari and Teluk Bintuni. The prime commodity for horticulture sector are legume (0,165), tomato (0,146), and chili (0,138). Legume become the prime commodity since it has the highest weight of agro-ecosystem suitability 0,289 and economic factor weight 0,175. Tomato become the second prime commodity as its economic weight 0,264 and regional carrying capacity weight 0,114. The third prime commodity are chili has the highest weight of economic factor 0,175 and regional carrying capacity weight 0,124. Teluk Bintuni Regency can be recommended as main horticulture production area in Papua Barat. The prime commodities for estate are nutmeg (0,306), palm oil (0,293), and cocoa (0,275). Nutmeg become the prime commodity since it has the highest weight of economic factor 0,376, agro-ecosystem factor 0,371 and regional carrying capacity with lowest weight 0,184. Considering the agro-acosystem, then Fak-fak can be recommended as main nutmeg production area in Papua Barat. Palm oil become the second prime commodity as its agro-ecosystem weight 0,264, regional carrying capacity weight 0,252 and economic factor 0,192. The main production area for palm oil in Sorong. Meanwhile, the third prime commodity, cocoa, should be produced in Raja Ampat. The prime commodities for livestock are pig (0,309), cattle (0,191) and chicken (0,184). Pig and cattle become the prime commodity since it has the highest weight of agro-ecosystem, economic factor and regional carrying capacity with lowest weight. Differently with two categories above, chicken has the highest weight of economic factor (0,260) and regional carrying capacity (0,251) and agro-ecosystem (0,110). Considering the agro-acosystem, then Kaimana can be recommended as main pig and chicken production area and Fak-Fak for cattle production area in Papua Barat. Agribusiness development in West Papua should be in accordance with the prime commodity that has been determined. The development of agribusiness in Papua Barat requires some effort inestablishing input industries, improving cultivation technologies, creating and enforcing value added activities, developing marketing systems and establishing supporting institutions of agribusiness system.