Identifying Key Factors Affecting Integrated and Sustainable Development of Red Onion Horticulture Cluster Area

Abstract

Sustainable development of small-scale horticulture farming is very much determined by how these farmings develop and organized into an integrated agriculture cluster area which aims at fulfilling human needs, equitable distribution of economic benefits, and participation of farmers and rural people in the dynamics of development. Indonesia has adopted it as policy but with limited evidence of successful implementation because of the ecosystem for agriculture cluster area development not yet existed. Despite the ecosystem not yet developed, small-scale farmers continue to manage their farming to support their livelihood. In this context, there is a need to develop an alternative enabling framework based on an understanding of the dynamics of horticulture farming. The objectives of this research are to understand the dynamics of the red onion horticulture farming, assessing key factors affecting farming management, and identify elements of a framework for developing integrated small-scale red onion farming cluster area based on the key factors identified. A mix research method was applied: an in-depth interview and survey. The results of the research indicated that the following key factors affecting the dynamics of small-scale red onion farming: (1) market, product distribution, and price fluctuation; (2) provision of agriculture extension services and consideration to use inputs; (3) existence and functionality of farmers’ group (organization); (4) source of capital and the used of financial service industry; (5) supports from government program; (6) infrastructures to support farming activities (in term of farms access road and water); (7) mutually beneficial synergy and partnership among the stakeholders; and (8) digital platform to facilitate interaction among stakeholders. These key factors would form the basis to develop an alternative framework for integrated agriculture are development.