Adoption of product diversification technology in marginal pond land

Abstract

Fishpond farmers cultivate their pond lands on marginal land conditions by means of subsistence. The research was to analyze the pond’s management, the income of the pond farmers, and the subsistence pond business development model towards product diversification. This research was conducted on ponds in Kendari Bay, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Determination of respondents using purposive sampling method with the consideration that pond farmers have carried out milkfish cultivation in the last three years. This study uses a simple statistical approach, income analysis, descriptive analysis and product diversification model. The main findings of this research are that pond farmers have applied fertilization technology, pest eradication and water circulation. Fertilization grows moss which is used as milkfish feed. Most of the respondents only provide moss as the only feed for milkfish. On the other hand, the pond land has also been polluted. The results of this study show that subsistence pond farmers have very little income, only Rp. 4,689,000/year. Thus, the recommended model for developing a pond business is a product diversification model. The product diversification referred to is: 1) milkfish and shrimp cultivation, 2) thorn-pulled milkfish and frozen shrimp processing, 3) Utilization of dragon fruit cultivation pond embankments, 4) fishing areas, and 5) culinary grilled fish from the pond. Based on the results of product diversification simulation analysis, it is known that the pond farmers can increase their income through product diversification.