Capacity Development of Food Institutions in the Regency of Timor Tengah Selatan

Abstract

One of the problems faced in efforts to increase local food production in Timor Tengah Selatan regency is that institutional performance is still low. Food institutions play an important role in facilitating and participating in efforts to increase food production. Empirical facts show that food institutions such as farmer groups, farmer groups associations, Karang Taruna, PKK groups, and instructors and companions’ capacities have not been optimal in providing support for increasing food production in the Timor Tengah Selatan Regency. This research aims to find out the capacity of rural food institutions in Timor Tengah Selatan regency, using qualitative research methods. Research informants were determined purposively which included implementing policies at Food Security Service; village head; farmer group leader; Karang Taruna leader; leader of PKK groups, instructor/companion. Based on the results of the study, it is known that there are several aspects of institutional capacity that contribute to increasing food production in the regency of Timor Tengah Selatan, namely: (1) resources, (2) skills and knowledge, and (3) politics and power. In order for food institutions to function properly, it is necessary to have the active involvement of all food stakeholders to always empower existing food institutions in rural areas in Timor Tengah Selatan regency.
 Keywords: institutional capacity, performance, food security, food production