CONSTRAINTS IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY USAGE AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF HORTICULTURAL FARMERS IN ACEH, INDONESIA

Abstract

The utilization of digital technology will improve horticultural agribusiness competitiveness. Digital technology makes it easy to make decisions and expands farmers’ marketing network. The purpose of this research is to identify constraints towards digital technology utilization pertaining to horticultural farmers in the province of Aceh, and offer possible solutions. The study is exploratory and uses a qualitative descriptive analysis. The results show that farmers were not ready to use digital technology because of low education leading to inability to operate the technology, lack of funds, high variability of income due to very volatile selling price of horticultural products, and lack of facilities and infrastructure. To overcome these constraints it is necessary to provide socialization and training on digital technology adoption, working capital assistance, scholarships for farmers' families, and access to digital technology facilities and infrastructure at the local level. Strengthening the land tenure agrarian law and enactment of land conversion law would enable farmers to optimize their land utilization.

Keywords

• horticulture
• farmers
• stakeholders
• digital technology
• access