Increasing the amount of fertilizer according to recommendations

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 16 views

The Influence of Socioeconomic and Ecological Factors on Special Arabica Coffee Production in Simalungun Regency: Efforts to Realize Local Economic Development

Introduction

Simalungun Regency in North Sumatra has been identified as a region with great potential for the development of local economy based on agribusiness Arabica Specialty Coffee. The production of high-quality Arabica coffee has been a significant contributor to the region's economy, and it is essential to understand the factors that influence its production. This study aims to examine the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors on specialized Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency, as well as analyze the benefits of coffee certification programs, land use, and the needs of policies and programs needed to support the development of local economy.

Methodology

This study uses the Multi-Stage Cluster Sampling (MSCS) method to select regional samples and probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) and simple random samples for determining household samples. Farming data were analyzed with multiple linear regression models to identify the factors that influence the production of special Arabica coffee.

Results

The results of this study showed that the increase in production and productivity of special Arabica coffee could be achieved through intensification strategies, including:

Increasing the amount of fertilizer according to recommendations: The use of appropriate fertilizer can increase soil fertility and the growth of coffee plants, thereby increasing crop yields.
Facilitating Credit Farming Arabica Coffee Specialty: Access to credit can help farmers in obtaining capital to buy equipment, fertilizer, and other inputs needed in the production process.
Optimization of land use (spilling or multistrata coffee): Tumpangsari and multistrata coffee techniques allow farmers to plant other plants on the sidelines of coffee plants, thereby increasing the economic value of land and reducing the risk of crop failure.
Optimizing the use of family workers: The use of family workers efficiently can reduce production costs and increase business profitability.
The application of good agricultural practices (protective trees, organic fertilizers, crops of coffee plants, land conservation, and control of PBKO): The application of good agricultural practices can improve coffee quality, maintain environmental sustainability, and increase resistance to pests and diseases.

Ecological Factors

Ecological factors have an important role in the development of special Arabica coffee in the Simalungun highlands. The application of ecological variables at the farm level will increase productivity, coffee quality, and support the sustainability of ecological coffee production.

Challenges and Solutions

Although Specialty Arabica coffee has great potential, this study found several challenges, including:

Arabica Coffee Productivity Certificate is lower (8%) compared to non-certificates: This is caused by several factors, such as limited access to technology, as well as policies that have not fully supported certified farmers.
Coffee Certificate Price is only slightly higher (3.57%) than non-certificates: This premium price gap results in certified farmers' income not too significantly different from non-certificate farmers.

To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to make some efforts, including:

Increasing the price of coffee premium to 26%: This can increase the income of coffee farmers certificates by 25% compared to non-certificates.
Increasing farmers' access to technology and information: Training programs, counseling, and access to information can help farmers in increasing knowledge and skills in applying good agricultural technology and practices.
Improving the quality of coffee and certification standards: Improving the quality of coffee will increase the competitiveness of Indonesia's coffee in the international market.
Strengthening the coffee certification program: The certification program must be comprehensively designed and consider the interests of farmers, the community, and the environment.

Conclusion

Local Economic Development Based on Special Arabica Coffee Agribusiness in Simalungun Regency has great potential to increase community income and encourage regional economic growth. This study suggested 14 programs to support the local economic development model that focused on the development of Special Arabica Coffee Agribusiness in the Simalungun Highlands. These programs must be designed by focusing on the development of detailed spatial planning centers of Special Arabica Coffee Production as well as the acceleration of the revision of the Minister of Forestry Decree No. 44/2005 to increase the sustainability of ecosystems and realize the development of local economy that is inclusive and sustainable in Simalungun Regency.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government should provide support to farmers in accessing credit and technology to improve their productivity and quality of coffee.
The certification program should be strengthened to ensure that it is comprehensive and considers the interests of farmers, the community, and the environment.
The quality of coffee and certification standards should be improved to increase the competitiveness of Indonesia's coffee in the international market.
The government should provide training and counseling to farmers to increase their knowledge and skills in applying good agricultural technology and practices.
The government should accelerate the revision of the Minister of Forestry Decree No. 44/2005 to increase the sustainability of ecosystems and realize the development of local economy that is inclusive and sustainable in Simalungun Regency.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focused on Simalungun Regency and may not be generalizable to other regions.
The study only examined the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors on special Arabica coffee production and may not have considered other factors that may influence the production of coffee.
The study only suggested 14 programs to support the local economic development model and may not have considered other programs that may be necessary to support the development of local economy.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Examining the influence of other factors that may influence the production of special Arabica coffee, such as climate change, market trends, and government policies.
Developing a more comprehensive model of local economic development that considers the interests of farmers, the community, and the environment.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the programs suggested in this study and identifying areas for improvement.
Conducting case studies of other regions to examine the applicability of the findings of this study to other contexts.
Q&A: The Influence of Socioeconomic and Ecological Factors on Special Arabica Coffee Production in Simalungun Regency

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors on special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: What are the main factors that influence special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency?

A: The main factors that influence special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency include socioeconomic factors such as access to credit, technology, and information, as well as ecological factors such as soil fertility, climate, and land use.

Q: How can farmers increase their productivity and quality of coffee?

A: Farmers can increase their productivity and quality of coffee by using appropriate fertilizer, facilitating credit farming, optimizing land use, and applying good agricultural practices.

Q: What is the role of ecological factors in special Arabica coffee production?

A: Ecological factors play an important role in special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency. The application of ecological variables at the farm level can increase productivity, coffee quality, and support the sustainability of ecological coffee production.

Q: What are the challenges faced by farmers in Simalungun Regency in terms of coffee certification?

A: Farmers in Simalungun Regency face several challenges in terms of coffee certification, including limited access to technology and information, as well as policies that have not fully supported certified farmers.

Q: How can the government support farmers in Simalungun Regency?

A: The government can support farmers in Simalungun Regency by providing access to credit and technology, improving the quality of coffee and certification standards, and strengthening the coffee certification program.

Q: What are the benefits of special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency?

A: The benefits of special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency include increased community income, regional economic growth, and the development of local economy that is inclusive and sustainable.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the focus on Simalungun Regency and the examination of only socioeconomic and ecological factors.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on examining the influence of other factors that may influence the production of special Arabica coffee, developing a more comprehensive model of local economic development, and evaluating the effectiveness of the programs suggested in this study.

Q: What are the recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders?

A: Policymakers and stakeholders should provide support to farmers in accessing credit and technology, improve the quality of coffee and certification standards, and strengthen the coffee certification program.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the development of local economy in Simalungun Regency?

A: The study has significant implications for the development of local economy in Simalungun Regency, including the potential for increased community income, regional economic growth, and the development of local economy that is inclusive and sustainable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors on special Arabica coffee production in Simalungun Regency is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved. This study has provided insights into the main factors that influence special Arabica coffee production, the challenges faced by farmers, and the benefits of special Arabica coffee production. The study has also identified areas for future research and provided recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.