FARMERS' PERCEPTION AND DRIVING FACTORS IN MANAGING ORGANIC FARMING: A CASE STUDY IN THE BROADER BANDUNG REGION

• Main Author: QORINA ALWASILAH (NIM: 21316005), MENTARI
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/28864
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

<p align="justify"> Organic agriculture is a philosophical and ideological approach on the implementation of a holistic system to increase the health of agro-ecosystems. This practice has been positioned as a solution to environmental issues caused by the industrialization of conventional agriculture. Notwithstanding, the growth of organic agriculture in Indonesia is still low, as shown by the insignificant proportion of organic farms as compared to conventional farms. On the other hand, organic market has been growing steadily in response to the increasing awareness for individual and ecological health. In regards to this issue, it is significant to investigate the way farmers perceive organic and the factors that drive or hamper them to implement organic agriculture systems. The objectives of this study are: (1) to portray the perception of farmers towards organic farming, factors driving their agribusiness management, and (2) to develop strategies based on the required changes to move towards organic farming. This thesis employed a case study approach to five farmers in the greater Bandung region, which is known as one of the centers of vegetable production in West Java. Interviewees involved were three organic farmers and two conventional farmers in order to represent three variants of organic practices, i.e. education, business, and both in combination, and two variants of conventional practice, i.e. independent and collaborative farming. Theoretical frameworks used in this thesis include convention theory, perception theory, the conception of good farmers, and theory of change as a management instrument. Data was analyzed through a descriptive qualitative-quantitative approach (mixed methods). The study discovered that the perception of organic farming and conventional farmers on organic was positive, either seen from knowledge, usefulness and practice aspects. Factors that encourage farmers to apply organic systems are organic awareness; understanding and skills of organic farming; access to land and resources; and the benefits arising from the practice run. The implementation of farming practices shows that conventional farming uses inputs and produces greater harvests and benefits. However, in terms of ecology, the use of Nitrogen on organic soil is more efficient and the diversity of crops in organic farmland is more diverse than conventional farmland. Many programs towards changes to organic need to be done with the aim to achieve environmentally friendly agriculture systems, such as conducting training and campaign about organic farming, providing subsidization and making collaboration for an equal land and resource access; creating forum and organic market, and developing a good supply chain management in organic markets. <p align="justify">