Agribusiness development economic study of seaweed

Abstract

Specific targets for this study is to increase the income of seaweed farmers through increasing regional competitiveness in South Sulawesi Province and an arrangement for alternative policy patterns in the development of seaweed agribusiness in Bulukumba Regency. The research location is in Bulukumba Regency which one of the centers of seaweed production in South Sulawesi Province. This research was descriptive qualitative-quantitative research. The survey research method was used as the basis of the research design. Data collection was carried out using individual interviews and in-depth interviews through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for socio-economic institutions of seaweed farmers, policymakers and stakeholders. The results showed that the feasibility level of seaweed farming was quite high even though there were variations between regions. The variation in the lower level of profitability of farming in the Bonto Bahari Sub District area which is allegedly caused by the pollution impact caused by the operation of an asphalt processing plant in the local seaweed cultivation area. The institution of seaweed farmers has not yet functioned well even though there are still farmers who do not have a group. It is recommended to develop the seaweed business both in scale and the number of its business units and to conduct a special study of the role of institutions and the environmental impacts that are allegedly caused by asphalt processing plants.