Empowering of Young Farmer for Arabica Coffee Farming Business in Simalungun

Abstract

Arabica coffee is a global product, and Simalungun arabica coffee is able to compete internationally. The sustainability of the Arabica coffee business depends on young farmers. Young farmers as the next generation of agricultural businesses need special attention so that agricultural products can compete in the global era. The research method uses a qualitative approach with primary data types. The data collection technique was FGD 2 times each followed by 15 young coffee farmers and in-depth interviews with snow ball techniques of 11 young coffee farmers. The research subjects were young farmers who were involved in the coffee business. The results showed: the strategy of empowering young coffee farmers requires two components, namely driving and facilitating factors. The driving factors include: changes in non-market economic systems to markets, changes in client patron systems into markets; opening access to coffee processing tools, shaping the image of young farmers as active and critical agents, placing young coffee farmers as dynamic subjects in building leadership and entrepreneurial character. Facilitating factors include: building collectiveity, organizing young coffee farmers by strengthening social capital, protecting the water and land resource base by implementing good agricultural practices (GAP), diversifying livelihoods, opening market access, counseling and mentoring coffee and information and technology-based coffee businesses. In the free market era (MEA), it is necessary to reposition young coffee farmers from producer farmers to supplier farmers.