Organic-Based Salacca zalacca var. amboinensis Farming Development: An Alternative to Strengthening Farmers' Economy and Food Security

Abstract

Salacca zalacca var. amboinensis farming has been positioned as the main source of farmers' income, which is used to meet various needs, including food. Nowadays, S. zalacca var. amboinensis farming has been carried out organically, although the financial benefits for the farmers are still questionably argued. The aims of the study were to analyze (1) the financial benefits of organic-based S. zalacca var. amboinensis farming, and (2) farmers' perceptions of the contribution of organic-based S. zalacca var. amboinensis farming to farmers' economic strengthening and food security. The study was carried out in production centers of S. zalacca var. amboinensis in the province of Bali, and 139 farmers were selected as the respondents of the study. The financial benefits were critically analyzed using a policy analysis matrix approach, and the farmers' perceptions of the contribution of organic-based S. zalacca var. amboinensis farming to farmers' economic strengthening and food security were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results showed that the financial benefits of organic-based S. zalacca var. amboinensis farming in various strata of land areas and harvesting season were positively valued. However, farmers' perceptions of the contribution of farming to their economic strengthening and food security were mostly positively categorized.