Technical and Economic Aspects to Increase the Income of Seaweed Farmers in Milangodaa Village, Popayato Timur Subdistrict, Gorontalo

Abstract

Milangodaa Village, Popayato Timur Subdistrict is one of the important seaweed cultivation locations in the Gorontalo province. But in recent years there has been a decline in both the productivity and quality of seaweed produced from this region. This research was conducted to determine the factors that caused a decrease in productivity and strategies to increase the productivity and income of seaweed farmers in the area. This research was conducted with a triangulation method that combines area of study, interviews, and using secondary data. Factors that make a decrease in productivity are diseases, scarcity of seed availability, the fell of seaweed price, and the decreased trust among farmers to the role of institutions and groups in tackling problems. The farmers’ income can be increased by applying the harvest strategy, applying the technical approach such as increasing the area of cultivation, improving the distribution system of seeds and crops, and improving facilities and infrastructure such as anchoring ports and boat capacity. The economical approach consisted of financial sheet assistance, increase the bond among farmers through engaging community and institution as well as agreement on the management of input supply, access and marketing, and distributing the output.