Empowerment of Sheep Farmers Groups and Increasing Their Economic Values

Abstract

The research was conducted at the Cinyurup Village, Juhut Village, Karang Tengah District, in the Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province in 2019. The research used a survey method. The study was conducted through interviews and questionnaires for 3 groups of farmers and one group of independent farmers: (1) Karya Mandiri farmers Group of 25 farmers, (2) Cinyurup Mandiri farmers group of 17 farmers, (3) Taruna Mandiri farmers group of 7 farmers (4) Independent farmers included 9 breeders, total number of respondents was 57 breeders. Based on the information that the sheep population was large, it becomes a criterion for consideration of the study area. Primary and secondary data are analyzed descriptively, quantitatively and economically. The purpose of this study were to determine the empowerment of sheep breeders and to increase their economic value. The results of the study showed that, the profit in the group I was IDR.3.101,625 with R/C of 1.5 higher, the profits of the group II and III amounted to IDR.2.339.875 with R/C 1.4, and IDR.1,174,000 with R/C 1.3 lower, respectively. The profit for independent farmers amounted to IDR.1,606,250 with R/C of 1.3 and there was an increase in the value of profits compared to the group III. Sheep business operated by both the 3 groups of farmers and independent farmers is economically feasible. Lambs are still maintained as a sustainable investment to produce offspring for the following year. To increase sheep business, it is necessary to empower farmers to be more active and move towards commercial businesses directly.
 Keywords: sheep breeders, empowerment, and economic value