ANALISIS KEBERLANJUTAN PETANI HORTIKULTURA DI DESA KAMPUNG DELIMA, KABUPATEN REJANG LEBONG PROVINSI BENGKULU

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the sustainability level of horticultural farmers in Kampung Delima Village, Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province based on economic, social, environmental, and institutional dimensions. The background of this research is based on the high dependence of the community on the horticultural sector and various challenges such as limited capital, climate change, price fluctuations, and suboptimal institutional support that affect the sustainability of farming activities. This study employed a descriptive quantitative method using a modified RAPFISH (Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries) approach with Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) technique. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and documentation involving 25 respondents consisting of horticultural farmers and representatives of farmer groups. The results show that the sustainability level of horticultural farming is categorized as moderately sustainable, with variations across each dimension, where economic and social dimensions are relatively stronger than environmental and institutional dimensions, which still require improvement. The leverage analysis indicates that the most influential factors include access to capital, price stability, environmentally friendly input use, participation in farmer groups, and support from extension services and government policies. Therefore, the sustainability of horticultural farmers requires integrated efforts through institutional strengthening, capacity building of farmers, and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices to achieve a resilient and sustainable farming system.