Analysis of the Obstacles Faced by Smallholding Farmers in Improving Rubber Production After COVID-19 in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57125/FS.2025.09.20.01Abstract
The smallholdings sector dominates the rubber plantations in South Sumatra. However, production continued to decline after covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the effect of using seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, the number of plants per hectare, and farmer participation in government technical guidance activities on increasing rubber plantation production. The study also aimed to identify the obstacles faced by rubber smallholders in increasing their production. The study sample comprised 400 rubber smallholder farmers in South Sumatra. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the rubber plantation production. Qualitative analysis was also used to analyse the obstacles encountered by smallholder rubber farmers in increasing their rubber plant production. The results showed that the use of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and the number of plants per hectare, as well as participation in technical guidance, simultaneously influenced an increase in rubber plant production. The main obstacles for farmers are the high cost and difficulty of obtaining the recommended seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. Technical guidance from the government is rarely provided, meaning farmers do not understand rubber plantation management, such as the ideal number of plants per hectare. Therefore, the government should also ensure that farmers' needs for other types of capital, such as human, physical and social capital, are fulfilled.
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