ANALISIS USAHATANI KARET DI KECAMATAN KUANTAN HILIR KABUPATEN KUANTAN SINGINGI

Abstract

Rubber plants have strong potential for further development. However, various factors have caused rubber farming to be increasingly abandoned, such as farmers switching to oil palm cultivation, which is considered to provide more reliable income compared to rubber. One of the reasons for the low income of rubber farmers is the declining price of rubber. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of farmers and the profile of rubber farming, cultivation technology, and the economic analysis of rubber farming. The research was conducted using a survey method in Kuantan Hilir District, Kuantan Singingi Regency, from February to July 2023. The study was analyzed using qualitative descriptive and quantitative descriptive methods. The data used consisted of primary and secondary data. The results show that: (1) The average age of rubber farmers is 40.03 years, average education level is 9.5 years, the number of family members is 2 persons, and the average farming experience is 13.03 years. The farm profile indicates an average land size of 2 plots, production of 5,000 kg, and productivity of 500 kg per plot. (2) Rubber cultivation techniques include growth requirements, land preparation, planting and replanting, care, maintenance, and fertilization. (3) The average fixed cost per plot is Rp 19,791.38 per month or Rp 237,496.62 per year. The total average cost is Rp 345,152.78 per month or Rp 4,141,833.45 per year. The average gross income of farmers is Rp 3,052,971 per month or Rp 36,635,652 per year. The average net income is Rp 2,688,026.82 per month or Rp 32,256,321.9 per year. The farming efficiency value is 8.3, meaning that every Rp 1 spent generates a gross income of Rp 8.3 and a net income of Rp 7.3, indicating that rubber farming is feasible to operate.