The Income and Marketing of Cocoa in the Meleko Bangkit Forest Farmers’ Group, Sama Guna Village, Tanjung Subdistrict, North Lombok Regency

Abstract

This study aims to examine the cocoa cultivation system, farm income, marketing chain structure, marketing costs and margins, and factors supporting and inhibiting cocoa farming in the Meleko Bangkit Forest Farmer Group, Sama Guna Village, Tanjung Subdistrict, North Lombok Regency. The study used a descriptive method with a snowball sampling technique, and data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and literature reviews. The results showed that farmers applied cocoa cultivation in an agroforestry system with varying planting, maintenance, and harvesting patterns. The average farmer's income reached IDR 17,717,901/year, indicating that cocoa farming is feasible. The marketing structure consists of three marketing chains involving small collectors, village collectors, and inter-island traders, with the highest marketing costs and margins occurring at the inter-island trader level. Supporting factors for farming include competitive cocoa prices and agroecological suitability, while the main inhibiting factors are farmers' weak bargaining position and the length of the marketing chain. This study emphasizes the importance of strengthening farmer institutions and improving the marketing system to increase the income and welfare of cocoa farmers.