Strategy for developing the role of youth in agriculture of Soppeng district, South Sulawesi province

Abstract

This article is motivated by the decreasing interest of young workers in the agricultural sector so that the average level of education of workers in this sector is much lower than in other sectors. This study aims to describe the role and perceptions of the youth and analyze strategies for developing the role of the youth in the agribusiness sector of Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi Province. This research was conducted in Soppeng District on March to April 2019. The technique used in determining the sample in this study was snowball sampling. Data collection methods used were in-depth interviews, observations, and FGDs (Focus Group Discussion). The data analysis techniques used in this study were qualitative descriptive analysis and SWOT analysis. The youth prefer to be involved in supporting subsystems (private sector, government policy, BUMN, research and development, education, agribusiness infrastructure, credit and trading facilities) rather than in the marketing subsystems, farming, agricultural production, and processing facilities. The perception that the youth have in mind of the agribusiness sector in Soppeng district. The youth who are involved in agriculture sector for 0-2 years tend to be forced and they even consider it as a side job. Whereas, young people who have been involved for 2-7 years have made their profession as their priority. The strategy for developing the role of youth in agriculture in the agribusiness sector is to improve the capabilities of youth by establishing agricultural schools (vocational or campus), developing forums with specialized organizations focused on agriculture, and increasing government escort for the development of innovation technology and regulation of agricultural prices.