Smallholder adoption of horticultural crops: the case of dragon fruit in Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

Dragon fruit was planted in Indonesia starting in 2000 and has gained popularity since then due to its good taste, high nutrient contents, and many health benefits. The present study aimed to assess the adoption of dragon fruit in South Konawe District of Southeast Sulawesi province. Data collection was done in Pohuto Jaya village in South Konawe District. All dragon fruit growers (30 persons) in the village were taken as respondents. Data were collected through the questionnaire-based interview with the growers and in-depth interviews with agricultural extension officers. Data were analyzed using Cost and Returns analysis and descriptive statistics. Research results showed that dragon fruit production is profitable with high net returns. Farmers perceived several advantages of dragon fruit farming, namely easy to cultivate, shorter time to flowering, harvesting throughout the year, low risk of harvest failure, and reasonable market price. Other farmers were the most important source of information, followed by the social media. Farmers who perceived their skills in dragon fruit cultivation as being good was only 23.3 percent, indicating the importance of improving their knowledge and skills through various means. The local government should provide regular extension services and other supports to improve productivity and sustainability of dragon fruit farming in the district and province as a whole.