Improve cultivation practices

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 126 views

Japanese Spinach Farming and Marketing System (Peleng) in Karo Regency: A Case Study of Berastagi Rumah Village

Introduction

In recent years, the demand for Japanese spinach has been increasing globally, and Indonesia has become one of the major producers of this crop. The Karo Regency in North Sumatra Province is one of the areas that has been actively involved in Japanese spinach farming, with the village of Berastagi Rumah being one of the major centers. This study aims to investigate the farming system and marketing of Japanese spinach in the Berastagi Rumah Village and analyze the factors that affect productivity.

The Farming System in Berastagi Rumah Village

The results of the study showed that the majority of farmers in the Berastagi Rumah Village had a monoculture farm pattern, where 25 out of 30 farmers or around 83.3% made Japanese spinach (Peleng) their main effort. Only 5 farmers (16.7%) planted several other vegetables in some of their land. This was triggered by the limited area of land owned, coupled with an interest in trying to plant Japanese spinach. The monoculture farm pattern is a common practice in many parts of Indonesia, where farmers focus on growing a single crop to maximize their income.

Productivity of Japanese Spinach in Berastagi Rumah Village

The productivity of Japanese spinach in the Berastagi Rumah Village reaches 12.44 tons per hectare, far higher compared to Playen District, Gunung Kidul Regency, which only reaches 7.5 tons per hectare. Excess productivity in the Berastagi Rumah Village can be associated with optimal climate conditions, with an average temperature of between 18-20 ° C and better soil fertility. Meanwhile, Gunung Kidul District has a hotter temperature, reaching 28.7 ° C, which affects plant growth. The high productivity of Japanese spinach in the Berastagi Rumah Village is a significant advantage for farmers in this area.

Production Factors Affecting Japanese Spinach Productivity

Production inputs involved in Japanese spinach cultivation include seeds, land area, labor, fertilizer, and pesticides. Research shows that all production inputs affect simultaneously on productivity. However, individually, only the workforce has proven to have a significant effect on crop yields, while seeds, land area, fertilizer, and pesticides have no significant influence. This suggests that labor is a critical factor in Japanese spinach production, and farmers should focus on optimizing their labor inputs to improve productivity.

Production Costs and Revenue

The biggest cost component in Japanese spinach farming is the cost of labor, which reaches Rp 671,770.83 per farmer per planting season (MT), or Rp 2,838,859.33 per hectare per mt. Thus, labor is a dominant factor in production costs. However, Japanese spinach farming in Berastagi Rumah Village has proven to be profitable, with an average net income of Rp 16,525,331.72 per hectare per planting season. The cost ratio to income (R/C) is 3.89, and the value of investment returns (ROI) reaches 289.25%. This shows that this business is efficient and can be continued.

Break Point Analysis

Farmers in the village of Rumah Berastagi have passed the break-even point for Japanese spinach business, with a minimum income per hectare of Rp 306,060.31. That is, farmers can already return their initial capital. The break-even point for production is reached at 170.03 kg, while the break-even price is Rp. 459.25 per kilogram. This shows that if the selling price reaches or exceeds Rp. 459.25, farmers will benefit.

Marketing System in Berastagi Rumah Village

Japanese spinach marketing system in this village is considered efficient, with a market efficiency value (EP) of 10%. This means that the existing marketing channel meets the efficiency criteria, because the EP value is less than 50%. The efficient marketing system in Berastagi Rumah Village is a significant advantage for farmers in this area.

Price Development of Japanese Spinach

The price of Japanese spinach in the village of Rumah Berastagi shows a significant increase trend. At the beginning of the year, the price at the farm level was Rp 1,800.00, and at the end of the year it increased to Rp 2,500.00. At the trader level, prices also show an increase from Rp. 3,000.00 to Rp. 3,500.00 in the past year. The increasing price of Japanese spinach in Berastagi Rumah Village is a positive trend for farmers in this area.

Conclusion

This study revealed that Japanese spinach farming (Peleng) in the Berastagi Rumah Village shows great potential, both in terms of productivity and profit. Efficient marketing systems and increasing price development provide a positive picture of the sustainability of this business. Therefore, it is important for farmers to continue to improve cultivation practices and utilize environmental conditions that support in order to achieve more optimal results.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improve cultivation practices: Farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village should continue to improve their cultivation practices to optimize productivity and reduce production costs.
Utilize environmental conditions: Farmers should utilize the optimal climate conditions in Berastagi Rumah Village to improve productivity and reduce production costs.
Develop efficient marketing systems: The efficient marketing system in Berastagi Rumah Village should be maintained and improved to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce.
Increase awareness of Japanese spinach: Farmers and traders in Berastagi Rumah Village should increase their awareness of Japanese spinach and its potential market demand to improve their business strategies.

By following these recommendations, farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village can continue to improve their productivity and profitability, and contribute to the development of the Japanese spinach industry in Indonesia.
Q&A: Japanese Spinach Farming and Marketing System (Peleng) in Karo Regency

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the Japanese spinach farming and marketing system (Peleng) in Karo Regency, specifically in the Berastagi Rumah Village. This article aims to provide a Q&A section to address some of the common questions and concerns related to Japanese spinach farming and marketing in this region.

Q: What is Japanese spinach (Peleng)?

A: Japanese spinach (Peleng) is a type of leafy green vegetable that is widely cultivated in Indonesia, particularly in the Karo Regency. It is a popular crop among farmers due to its high demand in the market and relatively high price.

Q: Why is Japanese spinach farming popular in Berastagi Rumah Village?

A: Japanese spinach farming is popular in Berastagi Rumah Village due to the optimal climate conditions, which include a cool temperature and high humidity. These conditions are ideal for Japanese spinach cultivation, resulting in high productivity and profitability for farmers.

Q: What are the production costs associated with Japanese spinach farming?

A: The production costs associated with Japanese spinach farming include labor, seeds, land area, fertilizer, and pesticides. Labor is the biggest cost component, accounting for around 70% of the total production costs.

Q: How does the marketing system in Berastagi Rumah Village affect the price of Japanese spinach?

A: The marketing system in Berastagi Rumah Village is considered efficient, with a market efficiency value (EP) of 10%. This means that the existing marketing channel meets the efficiency criteria, resulting in a relatively high price for Japanese spinach.

Q: What are the benefits of Japanese spinach farming in Berastagi Rumah Village?

A: The benefits of Japanese spinach farming in Berastagi Rumah Village include high productivity, high profitability, and a relatively high price. These benefits make Japanese spinach farming an attractive option for farmers in this region.

Q: What are the challenges faced by Japanese spinach farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village?

A: The challenges faced by Japanese spinach farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village include high labor costs, limited access to markets, and competition from other farmers. These challenges can affect the profitability and sustainability of Japanese spinach farming in this region.

Q: How can farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village improve their Japanese spinach farming practices?

A: Farmers in Berastagi Rumah Village can improve their Japanese spinach farming practices by adopting efficient cultivation methods, utilizing optimal climate conditions, and developing efficient marketing systems. They can also consider diversifying their crops to reduce dependence on a single crop and improve their overall farm income.

Q: What is the future outlook for Japanese spinach farming in Berastagi Rumah Village?

A: The future outlook for Japanese spinach farming in Berastagi Rumah Village is positive, with high demand for the crop in the market and relatively high prices. However, farmers will need to continue to improve their cultivation practices and marketing systems to remain competitive and sustainable.

By addressing these common questions and concerns, we hope to provide a better understanding of the Japanese spinach farming and marketing system (Peleng) in Karo Regency, specifically in the Berastagi Rumah Village.