Farmer Business School Participation in Ghana: Implications for Market Orientation, Entrepreneurial Proclivity and Livelihood Performance

The study assumes that participation in the Farmer Business School (FBS) gives the cocoa farmer an advantage over the non-participants. The following objectives were set to give an overall appreciation of the research; determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the market orientation of the cocoa farmers, determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the entrepreneurial proclivity of cocoa farmers and determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the livelihood of the cocoa farmers. With this in mind, 600 cocoa farmers were sampled in Ghana using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and the independent sample t-test. The results show that participation in the Farmer Business School indeed gives the cocoa farmers an advantage; market orientation (p<0.05), an entrepreneurial proclivity (p<0.05), and livelihood outcomes (p<0.05). There is a need to continually strengthen activities that promote these three key areas.

Enhancing Market Orientation of Cocoa Farmers through Farmer Business Schools: The Ghana Cocobod Experience

The study sought to ascertain how the Farmer Business School (FBS) introduced in 2012 by the Ghana Cocoa Board as an extension approach makes the Ghanaian cocoa farmer more business and entrepreneurially minded. The research methods included using the descriptive survey and multi-stage sampling techniques to cover the six cocoa regions and 600 cocoa farmers. The 600 cocoa farmers selected were made up of 230 non-participants and 370 participants of the FBS. In terms of competency, the results showed that FBS participants had greater knowledge, a more positive attitude, and better skills than non-participants. In terms of market orientation, FBS participants were more competitor oriented, had less intelligence generation, were less market responsive, had less intelligence dissemination, had more customer emphasis, and had more interfunctional coordination than non-participants. The market orientation of cocoa farmers can be enhanced by provision of relevant practical experience for attitudinal change.

Prospek Pengembangan Rehabilitasi Tanaman Kakao dengan Teknik Sambung Samping untuk Meningkatkan Produksi dan Pendapatan Petani di Kecamatan Aere Kabupaten Kolaka Timur

This study aimed to assess the prospects for cocoa rehabilitation using side-grafting techniques to increase the production and income of farmers in the Aere Sub-district, East Kolaka District. The research was undertaken from March to April 2019 in Three villages, namely Aere, Tinete, and Rubia villages, selected purposively as study locations as they had large cocoa farming sizes and had applied side-grafting. Seventy-one respondents were selected from the population of 248 farmers. Data analysis employed an R/C ratio and descriptive statistics. Study results showed that cocoa rehabilitation prospects using a side-grafting technique in the study area were highly prospective. Cocoa farming was financially feasible, with the average income per cocoa farmer being IDR7,105,613 per year or IDR4,588,482 per ha per year. The R/C ratio of 2.0 meant that rehabilitation with side-grafting techniques to increase the production and income of cocoa farmers was financially feasible. Qualitative analysis also showed that the rehabilitation was feasible from technical, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects. The government was also committed to developing cocoa farming through the adoption of some policies and programs, including budget support

PENYULUHAN TEKNIS PEMANGKASAN BENTUK DAN PEMANGKASAN PEMELIHARAAN TANAMAN KAKAO KLONAL DI KABUPATEN KOLAKA UTARA PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA

North Kolaka is one of the largest cocoa producing districts in Southeast Sulawesi, however in the last 10 years, there has been a decline in the area and production of cocoa plants in North Kolaka. Cocoa is the main source of income for the people of North Kolaka, a source of regional income (PAD), and a provider of employment for the community. Currently, the government is temporarily revitalizing the people's cacao plants in an effort to restore the prestige of North Kolaka as a leading production center in Indonesia. Pruning is one aspect of cultivation that is important for good cocoa production. Pruning cocoa consists of pruning shapes, pruning maintenance and pruning production. So far, the community has not done shape pruning, especially for clonal cocoa from plant propagation using shoot grafting techniques. This is reflected in the condition of the plant growth system, especially in clonal plants. Community service activities are carried out by way of outreach and counseling about pruning and maintenance of cocoa farmer groups. The activity received a positive response from partner farmers who were very enthusiastic about participating in extension activities and hoped that the same activities would continue to be carried out not only in pruning, but all aspects of the election, especially in supporting the revitalization activities that were being carried out by the Government and the Community of North Kolaka. Keywords: Cocoa, shape pruning, maintenance pruning, clonal tree. ABSTRAK Kolaka Utara merupakan salah satu kabupaten penghasil kakao terbesar di Sulawesi Tenggara, akan tetapi dalam 10 tahun terakhir, terjadi penurunan areal dan produksi tanaman kakao di Kolaka Utara. Kakao merupakan sumber pendapatan utama masyarakat Kolaka Utara, sumber pendapatan asli daerah (PAD), dan penyedia lapangan kerja bagi masyarakat. Saat ini pemerintah sementara melakukan revitalisasi tanaman kakao rakyat dalam upaya pemerintah daerah mengembalikan pamor Kolaka Utara sebagai sentra produksi terkemuka di Indonesia. Salah satu aspek budidaya yang penting untuk mendapatkan produksi kakao yang baik adalah pemangkasan. Pemangkasan kakao terdiri dari pemangkasan bentuk, pemangkasan pemeliharaan dan pemangkasan produksi. Selama ini masyarakat belum melakukan pemangkasan bentuk khususnya pada tanaman kakao klonal dari perbanyakan tanaman dengan teknik sambung pucuk. Hal ini tercermin dari kondisi sistem pertajukan tanaman khusunya pada tanaman klonal. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat dilakukan dengan jalan sosialisasi dan penyuluhan tentang pemangkasan bentuk dan pemeliharaan pada kelompok tani kakao. Kegiatan mendapat respon positif dari petani mitra yang sangat antusias mengikuti kegiatan penyuluhan dan mengharapkan kegiatan yang sama terus dilakukan tidak terbatas hanya pada pemangkasan, tetapi seluruh aspek pemiliharaan terutama dalam mendukung kegiatan revitalisasi yang sementara dilakukan oleh Pemerintah dan Masyarakat Kolaka Utara. Kata kunci: Kakao, pemangkasan bentuk, pemangkasan pemeliharaan, kakao klonal.

ANALISIS KOMPARASI PENDAPATAN USAHATANI KAKAO DAN USAHATANI LADA DI DESA LAMONG JAYA KECAMATAN LAEYA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

This research aims to determine the income and differences of income of cocoa and pepper farming. This research was conducted from June until October 2015. The samples were selected through a non-probability sampling. The samples are taken purposively with the criteria of the respondents who had planted cocoa and pepper plant since 5 until 10 years ago, and both of these commodities are in the productive age, so this research used 35 respondents of cocoa farmer and 29 respondents of pepper farmer. The Data were collected through interviews by questionnaire. This research used income analysis and t-test analysis or Independent sample t-test. The result of this research shows that average income cocoa farmers is Rp 7,637,358 per year, and the average income of pepper farmers is Rp 11,724,301 per year. Where as the average per hectare income of cocoa farming is Rp 6,048,775/ha/year and the average per hectare income of pepper farmin is Rp 17,108,435/ha/year. The average income of respondents who are farming cocoa is different with average income of respondents who are farming pepper as significantly. Beside of that, the average per hectare income of cocoa farming is different with average income of pepper farming significantly

The Difference Between Ghana Cocoa Farmers’ Personal Profile on their Financial Sustainability

Introduction: In pursuing their enterprises, cocoa farmers now need financial sustainability. This research focuses on financial sustainability because it is linked to the accessibility of agricultural funding and the effect on society for current and future generations in order to guarantee a sustainable livelihood. This study considers the personal profiles of cocoa farmers, which are sex, education level, number of dependents, and farm sizes. The cocoa farmers profile has a divergent view on their financial sustainability. The study is quantitative research and correlational design research. The sample population of 1,000 Cocoa farmers was conveniently sampled from the six cocoa-growing regions of Ghana as respondents. Method: The study used self-constructed questionnaires to measure financial sustainability, which had sub-variables of financial viability, financial self-sufficiency, and financial impact. The statistical analysis for the differences was computed by using SPSS 23 with T’Test and ANOVA. Result: The results of the study revealed that there was no significant difference in a number of dependents and educational level of cocoa farmers on their financial sustainability. Also, farm size and sex proofed to have a significant difference in the financial sustainability of the cocoa farmer. Large farm size indicated a major difference in financial sustainability as compared to small farm size. Male cocoa farmers were better than the female cocoa farmers on their financial sustainability.The dominance of males in cocoa farming in Ghana makes them consider the financial sustainability of the cocoa farming venture more than females. This is because they are mainly supporting the livelihood of their families. Farm Size as a determinant of financial sustainability is evident by the yield larger farm size can give a cocoa farmer. Discussion: The study recommends that in order to attain financial sustainability for the cocoa farmer, the farm size and sex must be considered.

PERAN KELOMPOK TANI DALAM KEGIATAN USAHATANI KAKAO DI DESA KETULUNGAN KECAMATAN SUKAMAJU KABUPATEN LUWU UTARA

The formation of farmer groups will make it easier for farmers to carry out their farming activities. This study aims to examine the role of farmer groups in cocoa farming activities in Ketulungan Village. The approach used in this study is a qualitative descriptive approach. Respondents were cocoa farmer groups selected using a purposive method. Data collection is done by in-depth interviews with respondents and informants. The informants in this study were extension agents both from related institutions and from the private sector. The results of this study indicate that the role of farmer groups in farming activities includes: (1) Farmer groups as a forum for sharing information, namely farmer groups disseminating information obtained from instructors to their members through meetings; (2) Farmer groups as a place of discussion, namely farmer groups as a place to find solutions to problems in cocoa farming activities such as maintenance and handling of pests and diseases; (3) Farmer groups as a forum for learning, namely farmer groups as a place to get knowledge about cocoa cultivation; (4) Farmer groups as production units, namely farmer groups as providers of facilities and infrastructure in farming activities of their members such as providing fertilizer and cocoa seeds; (5) Farmer groups as a place of cooperation, namely farmer groups capable of cooperating with extension agents, PT Mars and its members in carrying out their farming activities. It is expected that farmer groups, more actively collaborate in farming activities and can cooperate with the government and other parties to improve their farming activities.

ANALISIS EKONOMI RUMAH TANGGA PETANI PADA USAHATANI KAKAO RAKYAT DI KABUPATEN BLITAR

As annual crop farmers, the household of cocoa farmers apply diversification livelihood strategy which depends on the season, the labor market, and the free time of each family member to make ends meet. This particular research was conducted in order to analyze the performance and economic behavior of the cocoa farmer households. The research was located in Udanawu and Bakung district with a sample of 45 cocoa farmer households. In order to answer the purpose of this research,a sequences of analysis through tabulation analysis and simultaneous equation models which then estimated using the Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method. The results showed that cocoa farming income is significantly influenced by the cocoa prices, production, the number of productive cocoa plants and costs. The expenditure of food on farmer households is significantly affected by the number of the children of the family who are at the time receiving education in school. The most important thing that can be recommended to increase farmer’s income is cocoa bean should be fermented. There needs to be strengthening of institution therefore, the farmers' bargaining position increases and new government policies to push the issuance of mandatory rules for cocoa fermentation.