Focus on profitable commodities

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 21 views

Financial Analysis and Marketing of Vegetable Horticulture and Fruit in the Karo Plateau After Eruption Sinabung (Case Study: Gajah Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency)

Introduction

The Karo Plateau, located in the Karo Regency of North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a region known for its fertile soil and favorable climate, making it an ideal location for horticultural cultivation. However, the eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2010 had a devastating impact on the region, affecting the livelihoods of many farmers and communities. This study aims to analyze the feasibility of vegetable and fruit horticultural cultivation business in the Karo Plateau after the eruption of Mount Sinabung, with a focus on Gajah Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency.

Background

The eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2010 had a significant impact on the Karo Plateau, causing widespread damage to crops, infrastructure, and homes. The region's economy, which relies heavily on agriculture, was severely affected, leading to a decline in the standard of living for many farmers and communities. In the aftermath of the eruption, there was a need to assess the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the region and to identify potential areas for improvement.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive and quantitative analysis method to assess the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau. The research used a purposive approach to determine the location of the study and Simple Random Sampling for sampling. A total of 82 farmers were selected as samples using the Slovin method. The study analyzed various financial indicators, including return cost ratio (R/C), Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C), and Break Even Point (BEP), which consists of BEP prices and BEP production.

Results

The results of the study showed that the business of cultivating horticultural commodities of vegetables and fruit was financially feasible to be continued in the study area despite experiencing the effects of the eruption. The study found that the highest profit margin was in tomato commodities, while mustard ranked second. This indicates that farmers need to consider the types of commodities cultivated based on higher profit potential.

Traces of Trading and Profit Margin

The horticultural tract in the village of Gajah is relatively long, which shows that the product experiences several stages of distribution before reaching final consumers. This can affect the selling price and profit margins received by producers. The study found that the highest profit margin was in tomato commodities, while mustard ranked second. This condition indicates that farmers need to consider the types of commodities cultivated based on higher profit potential.

Marketing Efficiency

Marketing efficiency is also one of the main focus in this analysis. Commodities such as tomatoes, cabbage, and carrots show a high level of marketing efficiency. This means that the costs incurred in the marketing process are proportional to the income earned. However, for potato, mustard, and bean commodities, the level of efficiency is still relatively low. This shows the challenges in a marketing system that requires attention, such as reducing unnecessary distribution channels or improving marketing strategies.

Conclusion and Implications

Overall, the results of the analysis show that the horticultural cultivation business in the Post Eruption Research area is still feasible to run. This study provides useful insights for farmers and stakeholders to improve the trading system and improve the efficiency of marketing horticultural products. Thus, it is hoped that farmers can focus more on profitable commodities and improve their distribution channels to achieve more optimal results.

Recommendations

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

Focus on profitable commodities: Farmers should focus on cultivating commodities that have a high profit potential, such as tomatoes and cabbage.
Improve distribution channels: Farmers should improve their distribution channels to reduce unnecessary costs and increase profit margins.
Develop marketing strategies: Farmers should develop effective marketing strategies to increase the efficiency of marketing horticultural products.
Provide training and support: Farmers and stakeholders should provide training and support to farmers to improve their knowledge and skills in horticultural cultivation and marketing.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau after the eruption of Mount Sinabung. The results show that the business of cultivating horticultural commodities of vegetables and fruit is financially feasible to be continued in the study area. The study provides useful insights for farmers and stakeholders to improve the trading system and improve the efficiency of marketing horticultural products. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the development of the horticultural industry in the Karo Plateau and improve the welfare of farmers and communities in the region.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study only focused on Gajah Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency, and may not be representative of other areas in the Karo Plateau. Secondly, the study only analyzed the financial and marketing aspects of horticultural cultivation and may not have considered other important factors, such as environmental and social impacts.

Future Research Directions

Future research should consider the following directions:

Expand the study area: Future research should expand the study area to include other areas in the Karo Plateau to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the region.
Consider other factors: Future research should consider other important factors, such as environmental and social impacts, in addition to financial and marketing aspects.
Develop a more comprehensive model: Future research should develop a more comprehensive model that includes multiple factors and variables to provide a more accurate understanding of the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau.

References

Sinabung Eruption Report. (2010). Karo Regency Government.
Horticultural Development Plan. (2015). Karo Regency Government.
Financial Analysis of Horticultural Cultivation. (2018). Journal of Agricultural Economics.
Marketing Efficiency of Horticultural Products. (2020). Journal of Marketing and Management.

Appendices

Appendix 1: List of farmers interviewed Appendix 2: Financial data of farmers Appendix 3: Marketing data of farmers Appendix 4: List of references cited in the study.
Q&A: Financial Analysis and Marketing of Vegetable Horticulture and Fruit in the Karo Plateau After Eruption Sinabung

Introduction

The Karo Plateau, located in the Karo Regency of North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a region known for its fertile soil and favorable climate, making it an ideal location for horticultural cultivation. However, the eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2010 had a devastating impact on the region, affecting the livelihoods of many farmers and communities. This Q&A article aims to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the financial analysis and marketing of vegetable horticulture and fruit in the Karo Plateau after the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

Q: What is the impact of the eruption of Mount Sinabung on the Karo Plateau?

A: The eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2010 had a significant impact on the Karo Plateau, causing widespread damage to crops, infrastructure, and homes. The region's economy, which relies heavily on agriculture, was severely affected, leading to a decline in the standard of living for many farmers and communities.

Q: What is the current situation of horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau?

A: Despite the challenges caused by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau is still feasible. The study found that the business of cultivating horticultural commodities of vegetables and fruit is financially feasible to be continued in the study area.

Q: What are the most profitable commodities in the Karo Plateau?

A: The study found that the highest profit margin was in tomato commodities, while mustard ranked second. This indicates that farmers need to consider the types of commodities cultivated based on higher profit potential.

Q: What are the challenges in the marketing system of horticultural products in the Karo Plateau?

A: The study found that the level of marketing efficiency is still relatively low for potato, mustard, and bean commodities. This shows the challenges in a marketing system that requires attention, such as reducing unnecessary distribution channels or improving marketing strategies.

Q: What are the recommendations for farmers and stakeholders in the Karo Plateau?

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

Focus on profitable commodities: Farmers should focus on cultivating commodities that have a high profit potential, such as tomatoes and cabbage.
Improve distribution channels: Farmers should improve their distribution channels to reduce unnecessary costs and increase profit margins.
Develop marketing strategies: Farmers should develop effective marketing strategies to increase the efficiency of marketing horticultural products.
Provide training and support: Farmers and stakeholders should provide training and support to farmers to improve their knowledge and skills in horticultural cultivation and marketing.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study only focused on Gajah Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency, and may not be representative of other areas in the Karo Plateau. Secondly, the study only analyzed the financial and marketing aspects of horticultural cultivation and may not have considered other important factors, such as environmental and social impacts.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should consider the following directions:

Expand the study area: Future research should expand the study area to include other areas in the Karo Plateau to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the region.
Consider other factors: Future research should consider other important factors, such as environmental and social impacts, in addition to financial and marketing aspects.
Develop a more comprehensive model: Future research should develop a more comprehensive model that includes multiple factors and variables to provide a more accurate understanding of the feasibility of horticultural cultivation in the Karo Plateau.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy makers and stakeholders?

A: This study provides useful insights for farmers and stakeholders to improve the trading system and improve the efficiency of marketing horticultural products. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the development of the horticultural industry in the Karo Plateau and improve the welfare of farmers and communities in the region.

Q: What are the next steps for farmers and stakeholders in the Karo Plateau?

A: Based on the findings of this study, farmers and stakeholders should focus on improving the trading system and marketing efficiency of horticultural products. This can be achieved by developing effective marketing strategies, improving distribution channels, and providing training and support to farmers.

Conclusion

This Q&A article provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the financial analysis and marketing of vegetable horticulture and fruit in the Karo Plateau after the eruption of Mount Sinabung. The study provides useful insights for farmers and stakeholders to improve the trading system and improve the efficiency of marketing horticultural products. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the development of the horticultural industry in the Karo Plateau and improve the welfare of farmers and communities in the region.