Support system model for smallholder to accelerate the implementation of palm cattle integration

Abstract

Palm cattle integration is plants and livestock integrated activities in a farming unit. This system is part of the government programs to meet national beef’s need at a macro level. It is also a strategy in optimizing land use to increase productivity and farmers’ income. However, its implementation has not been developing and running optimally. This condition is caused by various technical and institutional constraints faced by smallholders. In the long term, it may affect its sustainability because farmers cannot overcome it only by using their resources and capabilities. It can be overcome by providing a support system. This paper aims to analyze the constraints and develop a support system model for smallholders to accelerate the implementation of palm cattle integration. The constraints faced by farmers are related to working capital, raw material, technologies, skills, market, and tools and machinery. The strategies include strengthening farmer and farmer groups, optimizing production and productivity, and developing a market link. The support facilities consist of factors to increase farmers’ and farmer organizations’ capabilities and provide resources. Providing support facilities will involve local government, private sector, cooperative, financial service, production service, market and institutional service, certification service, and research agency.