Rain-shelter technology model in sustainable red chili production cluster in Aceh Tengah

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to design a rain-shelter technology model in the red chili agribusiness cluster as an alternative policy to increase farmers’ income. This study uses the soft system dynamics methodology (SSDM), which is a systemic thinking modeling approach that can understand unstructured situations and contains the entire interaction between elements of an object through causal relationships as the basis for understanding the dynamic behavior of complex system of the object to assess the risks that occur in red chili agribusiness cluster. The research was conducted in the red chili production center in Aceh Tengah Regency. Identification of the need for cluster model done through literature and interviews with experts from stakeholders, namely practitioners and policy makers involved in the procedure of input supply, production, and marketing of red chili output. The primary data obtained through observation, in-depth interviews with respondents, as well as the activity of FGD (Focus Group Discussion), while secondary data obtained through the study of literature from various sources of literature, books, scientific journals, and a variety of publications related to this research. Formulation of model made by software Veneta Simulation (Vensim DSS), followed by simulation. The result of this research showed that the application of the rain-shelter technology model effectively had a positive impact on the quantity and quality of on-grade red chili production, so that it was able to meet industrial market demands and increase farmers’ income.