Contribution of semi-organic shallot to sustainable value chain: case study of marginal land in Selopamioro village, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Shallot is one of three main vegetable commodities in Indonesia, highly potential to be developed, both in terms of consumption and trade. However, shallot from sustainable cultivation is still scarcely available in the market. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the semi-organic shallot value chain in order to identify constraints on production and marketing, also to assess its value chain sustainability performance, with case of marginal land in Selopamioro village, Bantul district, Yogyakarta. The research involves multi-stakeholders along the chain, including three farmer groups i.e. Lestari Mulyo, Sekar Mulyo, and Bumi Mukti. These groups have consistently developed semi-organic shallot production for the past few years, using different bulb varieties, due to their soil characteristics. Snowball sampling is applied in mapping the value chain actors, followed with survey, key informant interview within guided questionnaire, and market observations. Data analysis covers descriptive analysis, PESTEC analysis for constraint identification and improvement recommendation, while value chain sustainability performance is assessed through selected indicators of economic, social, and environment related to the study area. Results describe actors, supporters, and influencers of the existing value chain. In terms of production constraints, results identify: poor marginal land fertility, same time harvesting, discontinuous supply, impatient farming activities, women role equality in farming activities, lack of processing sources, virus contamination risk, longer seedling, and limited source for shifting fuel into electrical machineries. As marketing constraints, results identify: on farm government focus, lack of selling skill and sustainable commodity campaign, unreliable off-takers linkage, limited alternative market information, consumer price sensitivity, verbal agreement transaction, minor young farmer membership, poor e-commerce skill, weak branding effort and processing focus, and business unit unavailability at farmer group. Recommendation highlights the triple helix approach in strengthening the collaboration within the chain. Further the value chain is considered sustainable, with sustainability performance of the value chain related to Lestari Mulyo and Sekar Mulyo is good, and Bumi Mukti is moderate.