Last modified: 2024-11-13
Abstract
Market orientation is a product of agricultural commercialization. Agricultural commercialization represents the shifting from subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture, which involves increasing production through high-quality inputs. In Indonesia, many farmers, especially smallholders, practice a blend of subsistence and market-oriented agriculture. While rice, a staple food, offers substantial market opportunities, farmers' market orientation often falls short. The evidence is low production levels, inefficient input use, low-quality seeds, and outdated technology. However, many farmers prioritize meeting their family's rice needs over maximizing profits. This study aims to investigate the market orientation of rice farmers in Aceh Besar District and the factors influencing it. The Market Orientation Index (MOI) and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the level of market orientation and its determinants. The results of this study show that the MOI value of rice farmers in Aceh Besar is 0,5. These indicate that, on average, rice farmers in the study area allocate 50% of their cultivated land to produce rice for sale or marketing. Price and information availability significantly influence the MOI, while other factors do not have a significant impact. These results suggest that access to competitive pricing and timely information can enhance farmers' market orientation and increase the quantity of rice produced for sale.