Pendapatan dan Kelayakan Usahatani Kentang (Solanum Tuberosum) di Kecamatan Lembah Gumanti Kabupaten Solok

Abstract

The horticulture subsector plays a crucial role in Indonesia's economy, with potatoes being one of its leading commodities. Lembah Gumanti District, located in Solok Regency, is the largest potato production center in West Sumatra. However, over the past five years, potato production has fluctuated due to farmers shifting to other crops, price instability, and rising fertilizer costs. Although productivity has increased, the average yield of 20.06 tons/ha remains below the potential 30 tons/ha (BPTP Sumbar, 2020). Farmers often make decisions based on short-term income without considering the sustainability of their farming practices. This study aims to describe farmer characteristics, analyze income, and assess the feasibility of potato farming in Lembah Gumanti District using qualitative descriptive analysis, income and profit analysis, R/C ratio, and BEP. The results indicate that the majority of farmers are male (75 percent), aged 41–46 years (40.91 percent), with most having a high school education (54.55 percent). The average number of dependents per household is 3–4 people (43.18 percent), and farming experience is predominantly within the 18–22-year range (29.55 percent). Most farmers own land between 0.94–1.2 hectares (36.36 percent), with 63.63 percent being self-owned. Potato production ranges from 7,468–9,601 kg per season (43.18 percent), while only 4.55 percent of farmers achieve 13,869–16,000 kg. The average farming cost is Rp 750,932.58, comprising equipment depreciation of Rp 28,387.12 and family labor costs of Rp 722,545.45.