Integration of Cattle-coconut Farming in South Minahasa Regency

Abstract

Coconut plantation is a source of income of South Minahasa community. Land under coconut plantation is utilized for the development of cattle farming in an integrated cattle-coconut plantation system. System integration is maintained in cattle under coconut trees, the land planted with forage and cattle waste used as fertilizer. While non-integration system is the land under a coconut tree is used for forage and cattle waste is used as fertilizer. The problem is how the benefits of system integrated cattle-coconut. The objective of this study was to analyze the benefits of system integrated cattle-coconut. District and Subdistrict purposively determined by consideration of having the largest cattle population. Number of respondents consisted of 86 of farmers are determined based on the ownership of at least 2 cattle and had to sell cattle. Data analysis was using descriptive analysis. Coconut lands are managed either by owners or tenants amounted to 10 935 trees (an average of 165.68 trees per respondent). Coconut land for grazing cattle borrowed amount to 2250 trees (an average of 112.50 trees per respondent). The results showed that the average farmer earned income non integrated system of Rp 16,583,767.54 per year. The average income earned on the system integration of Rp 21,658,525.52 per year. In conclusion, cattle-coconut plantation integration system provides benefits such as availability of feed resources under coconut, improve soil fertility and as an alternative source of income