Institutional Strengthening Strategy of Cocoa Farmer Group in Increasing Income of Cocoa Farmers in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province

Abstract

This study explains the strategy of strengthening the institutional cocoa farmer groups in increasing farmers' income in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province. The problem studied is how the strategies used in strengthening the institutional cocoa farmer groups so as to increase the income of cocoa farmers in the Pohuwato Regency. In discussing this problem, a qualitative descriptive approach was used by gathering a number of information based on interviews with informants consisting of extension workers and officials from related agencies and cocoa farmer groups and conducting field observations from the beginning until the research activities were completed. Furthermore, the data collected is reduced, and presented in the form of a description accompanied by a description of the results of the interview and other data that will lead to withdrawal in accordance with the facts found during the research process. The results showed that the institutional strengthening strategy of cocoa farmer groups can be carried out through: 1). Revitalization of farmer group institutional management functions, 2). Increasing the capacity of farmers' resources, 3). Development of partnerships between entrepreneurs and cocoa farmers, and 4). Formation of socio-economic institutions such as Farmer Cooperatives or Village-Owned Enterprises. The implementation of the institutional strengthening strategy of the cocoa farmer group is carried out by involving all parties from the relevant agencies, extension agencies, extension agents, and farmer groups as well as the entire cocoa farming community. The impact of this policy is an increase in the income of the farming community which is marked by an increase in the welfare and economy of the community in Pohuwato District, Gorontalo Province.