Strengthening Formal Partnerships

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 13 views

The Agribusiness System and Partnership of Sweet Potato Farmers: A Case Study of Purba Tongah Village

Introduction

Purba Tongah Village, located in Purba District, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, is a region with immense potential for sweet potato cultivation. The village's sweet potato agribusiness system, however, has not been optimally established, leading to fragmented and less structured partnerships among farmers. This study aims to examine the agribusiness system and partnership of sweet potato farmers in the village, involving 30 heads of families as samples chosen by stratified random sampling. Descriptive Analysis and Rank Spearman correlation coefficient are used to uncover a comprehensive picture and the relationship between various factors.

The Current State of Sweet Potato Agribusiness in Purba Tongah Village

The sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village is characterized by non-formal and transactional partnerships among farmers, production input traders, collecting traders, field agricultural extension workers, credit institutions, and cooperatives. These partnerships are often based on personal relationships and lack written agreements, continuous supply guarantees, and definite prices. The partnerships can be categorized into the following types:

Farmers' Partnerships with Production Input Traders

The relationship between farmers and production input traders is non-formal and more dominant as a trade relationship. Farmers buy production inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides from traders without any written agreement and continuous supply guarantees. This type of partnership is transactional and lacks a structured framework.

Farmers' Partnerships with Collecting Traders

Just like partnerships with production input traders, the relationship between farmers and collecting traders is also non-formal and transactional. Farmers sell sweet potato harvests to collecting traders without a contract and definite price. This type of partnership is also based on personal relationships and lacks a structured framework.

Farmers' Partnerships with Field Agricultural Extension Workers

The partnership between farmers and field agricultural extension workers is more task-oriented, where extension workers provide technical guidance to farmers related to sweet potato cultivation techniques. However, the involvement of extension workers in strengthening the agribusiness system is still limited.

Farmers' Partnerships with Credit Institutions

The partnership between farmers and credit institutions is formal, where farmers get access to capital from credit institutions. However, the process of applying for credit and its complicated requirements is an obstacle for farmers.

Farmers' Partnerships with Cooperatives

The partnership between farmers and cooperatives is non-formal and tends to be subscribed. Farmers sometimes sell their sweet potato harvests to cooperatives, but without any structured agreement.

The Impact of Partnership on Sweet Potato Production and Productivity

Further analysis shows that the relationship of partnership has an influence on the production of sweet potato farming, but does not affect the productivity of sweet potato farming. This indicates that the increase in sweet potato production is more influenced by other factors such as the use of proper aquaculture technology, and access to quality production inputs.

Improving the Sweet Potato Agribusiness System in Purba Tongah Village

To improve the sweet potato agribusiness system in the village of Purba Tongah, several steps need to be taken:

Strengthening Formal Partnerships

Building structured formal partnerships between farmers, production input traders, collecting traders, credit institutions, and cooperatives is essential. Written contracts with fair profit-sharing schemes can be a solution.

Increasing the Role of Extension Workers

Agricultural instructors need to play a more active role in helping farmers access the right aquaculture technology, find markets, and build profitable partnerships.

Facilitating Capital Access

Provision of access to low-interest capital and easy-to-meet requirements can help farmers increase sweet potato production.

Formation of Farmers Groups

Formation of farmer groups can strengthen the bargaining position of farmers in partnership, and facilitate access to information and technology.

Conclusion

With coordinated and structured efforts, the village of Purba Tongah can make sweet potatoes as a superior commodity that can improve the welfare of farmers and encourage regional economic growth. The study highlights the importance of strengthening formal partnerships, increasing the role of extension workers, facilitating capital access, and forming farmers groups to improve the sweet potato agribusiness system in the village. By implementing these strategies, the village can unlock its potential and become a leading producer of sweet potatoes in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Agribusiness System and Partnership of Sweet Potato Farmers in Purba Tongah Village

Q: What is the current state of sweet potato agribusiness in Purba Tongah Village?

A: The sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village is characterized by non-formal and transactional partnerships among farmers, production input traders, collecting traders, field agricultural extension workers, credit institutions, and cooperatives. These partnerships are often based on personal relationships and lack written agreements, continuous supply guarantees, and definite prices.

Q: What types of partnerships exist among farmers in Purba Tongah Village?

A: There are several types of partnerships among farmers in Purba Tongah Village, including:

Farmers' partnerships with production input traders
Farmers' partnerships with collecting traders
Farmers' partnerships with field agricultural extension workers
Farmers' partnerships with credit institutions
Farmers' partnerships with cooperatives

Q: How does the partnership affect sweet potato production and productivity?

A: The study found that the relationship of partnership has an influence on the production of sweet potato farming, but does not affect the productivity of sweet potato farming. This indicates that the increase in sweet potato production is more influenced by other factors such as the use of proper aquaculture technology, and access to quality production inputs.

Q: What are the key challenges facing sweet potato farmers in Purba Tongah Village?

A: The key challenges facing sweet potato farmers in Purba Tongah Village include:

Lack of formal partnerships and written agreements
Limited access to credit and capital
Limited access to quality production inputs and technology
Limited extension services and technical guidance
Limited market access and pricing information

Q: What are the recommendations for improving the sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village?

A: The study recommends the following strategies for improving the sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village:

Strengthening formal partnerships between farmers, production input traders, collecting traders, credit institutions, and cooperatives
Increasing the role of extension workers in providing technical guidance and support to farmers
Facilitating capital access and providing low-interest credit to farmers
Forming farmers groups to strengthen bargaining position and access to information and technology

Q: What are the potential benefits of improving the sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village?

A: The potential benefits of improving the sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village include:

Increased sweet potato production and productivity
Improved income and livelihoods for farmers
Increased access to markets and better pricing for sweet potatoes
Improved food security and nutrition for local communities
Contribution to regional economic growth and development

Q: What are the next steps for implementing the recommendations of this study?

A: The next steps for implementing the recommendations of this study include:

Conducting further research and analysis to identify specific needs and opportunities for improvement
Developing and implementing policies and programs to support the development of the sweet potato agribusiness system in Purba Tongah Village
Building partnerships and collaborations between stakeholders, including farmers, extension workers, credit institutions, and cooperatives
Providing training and capacity-building programs for farmers and other stakeholders to improve their knowledge and skills in sweet potato production and marketing.