Articles
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF VEGETABLE FARMING IN TSUNAMI-AFFECTED AREAS OF ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Article number
921_7
Pages
65 – 70
Language
English
Abstract
This paper presents results from an economic analysis of vegetable production and farmers constraints and incentives to grow vegetables in tsunami-affected communities in Aceh province, Indonesia.
Data were derived from a detailed focus group survey with structured questionnaires, and a series of qualitative studies carried out in eight communities spread over five Aceh districts in 2008. The analysis focuses on three vegetables – chili pepper, tomato, and cucumber – and rice as a control crop.
Through rigorous economic analysis of selected crops, we examined the economic costs and benefits to farmers from growing a particular vegetable compared with rice.
Among the four crops selected, chili was the most profitable, with a rate of return of more than 100% in a crop season of five months; farmers also considered chili one of the most risky crops to grow because of high price fluctuations and vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Farmers access to markets, ability to secure working capital, ability to obtain credit for purchasing inputs, and ability to bear risk were critical factors determining their crop choices and adoption of improved technology.
This study has implications for designing appropriate vegetable-sector interventions for rapid recovery of rural livelihoods in the tsunami-affected regions of Aceh.
These issues also are applicable to restore farm livelihoods and create employ¬ment for quick recovery of disaster-hit areas and to improve vegetable production in less-developed countries.
Data were derived from a detailed focus group survey with structured questionnaires, and a series of qualitative studies carried out in eight communities spread over five Aceh districts in 2008. The analysis focuses on three vegetables – chili pepper, tomato, and cucumber – and rice as a control crop.
Through rigorous economic analysis of selected crops, we examined the economic costs and benefits to farmers from growing a particular vegetable compared with rice.
Among the four crops selected, chili was the most profitable, with a rate of return of more than 100% in a crop season of five months; farmers also considered chili one of the most risky crops to grow because of high price fluctuations and vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Farmers access to markets, ability to secure working capital, ability to obtain credit for purchasing inputs, and ability to bear risk were critical factors determining their crop choices and adoption of improved technology.
This study has implications for designing appropriate vegetable-sector interventions for rapid recovery of rural livelihoods in the tsunami-affected regions of Aceh.
These issues also are applicable to restore farm livelihoods and create employ¬ment for quick recovery of disaster-hit areas and to improve vegetable production in less-developed countries.
Authors
M. Bhattarai, G.C. Luther, M. Ferizal
Keywords
vegetable cultivation, economic analysis, tsunami-affected areas, vegetable markets, rural institutions, livelihoods, Aceh, Indonesia
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