Farmer Perceptions and Preferences to Shallot Farming Technology Introduction in Grobogan District, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Farmers commonly use seed bulbs in shallot farming. Therefore it is required to conduct a demonstration plot to promote the technology of true shallot sheet (TSS). The study aims to determine the performance of the newly seedling technique and determine the perceptions and preferences of farmers towards shallot farming, in Padang Village, Tanggungharjo Sub- District, Grobogan District, in September - November 2018. The study used a demonstration plot of shallot farming using seedling and survey methods to the 30 shallots farmers. Financial analysis (BCR and MBCR) was used to determine the performance of shallot farming, while farmers' perceptions and preferences were analyzed descriptively with scoring techniques. The results showed that even though the cost of shallot farming using seedling was higher, it resulted in higher production (BCR 2.76 vs 0.25). The TSS using as planting material against bulbs was also beneficial since the MBCR value was 5.64, implying that the seedling technique was more profitable than seed bulbs using. With these significant results, farmers stated a high perception of shallot farming using seedling, indicated a high level of preference, which is 73.33 - 93.33%. Based on these results, the government should widely disseminate the TSS to shallot farmers.