PEMBERDAYAAN KELOMPOK TANI KENTANG UNTUK MEWUJUDKAN SENTRA KENTANG UNGGUL DI KECAMATAN ULU ERE, KABUPATEN BANTAENG

Abstract

The main problem faced by the Potato Farmer Group (FG) in the Ulu Ere Sub-District, Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi is the lack of knowledge about seedling management, cultivation and distribution of seeds, and processing of potato products. The purpose of this empowerment program is to increase FG participation in efforts to increase production, quality, seed clustering and processing of potato products. The methods used in achieving the program's objectives are counseling, demonstrating, and action research with stages as follows: a. Socialization, discussion of in the FG and community leaders, b. Empowerment of FG which includes demonstration plot of G2 potato (basic seed), and c. The development phase includes demonstration of the G3 (staple seed) potato cultivation area and improvement of the seed clustering system and processing of potato products. The results of the empowerment program show that: a. Demonstration plots for seedlings of G2 seedlings improves health, growth and seed production (18 tons/ha) and (b) Demonstration area of G3 potato seed cultivation increases health, growth, quality and seed production (20 tons/ha), and (c). It improves the ability of FG and their families in seed clustering, and processing of potato products (cake donuts, chips and potato chips).Keywords: Empowerment, farmer groups, potatoes.ABSTRAKPermasalahan utama yang dihadapi Kelompok Tani (KT) kentang di Wilayah Kecamatan Ulu Ere, Kabupaten Bantaeng, Sulawesi Selatan adalah masih rendahnya pengetahuan tentang pengelolaan pembibitan, budidaya, dan distribusi benih, serta pengolahan hasil kentang. Tujuan program pemberdayaan ini adalah meningkatkan partisipasi KT dalam melakukan usaha peningkatan produksi, mutu, klasterisasi benih dan pengolahan hasil kentang. Metode yang  digunakan dalam pencapaian tujuan program adalah penyuluhan, peragaan, dan kaji tindak dengan tahapan: a. Sosialisasi, diskusi KT dan tokoh masyarakat, b. Pemberdayaan KT yang meliputi demonstrasi plot pembibitan kentang G2 (benih dasar), dan c. Pengembangan yang meliputi demonstrasi area budidaya kentang G3 (benih pokok) dan perbaikan sistem klasterisasi benih dan pengolahan hasil kentang. Hasil program pemberdayaan menunjukkan bahwa: (a) Demonstrasi plot pembibitan benih kentang G2 meningkatkan kesehatan, pertumbuhan dan produksi benih (±18 ton/ha); (b) Demonstrasi area budidaya benih kentang G3 meningkatkan kesehatan, pertumbuhan, mutu  dan produksi benih (±20 ton/ha), dan (c) Meningkatkan kemampuan KT dan keluarganya dalam klasterisasi benih, dan pengolahan hasil kentang (Donat, Kripik dan Perkedel kentang).Kata kunci: Pemberdayaan, kelompok tani, kentang.