Pengaruh Faktor-Faktor Ekonomi terhadap Pendapatan Petani Stroberi Petik Sendiri (Kasus: Desa Barusjulu, Kecamatan Barusjahe, Kabupaten Karo)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze influence of economic factors, namely land area, labor costs, and farming costs, on the income of self-picking strawberry farmers in Desa Barusjulu, Kecamatan Barusjahe, Kabupaten Karo. Income analysis and multiple linear regression analysis methods were used in this research. The study involved farmers who have been cultivating self-picking strawberries for more than five years and using their own land, in order to obtain more stable and representative data. The results showed that the average income of self-picking strawberry farmers was Rp. 38.172.050 for a single planting season, which spans approximately is 8,5 months. When averaged montly, the farmers earned around Rp. 4.490.829. This amount exceeds the 2024 Minimum Wage of Kabupaten Karo, which is Rp. 3.577.282 per month, indicating that self-picking strawberry farming is a profitable and viable agricultural activity. The analysis results indicated that simultaneously, land area, labor costs, and farming costs have a significant effect on the income of self-picking strawberry farmers. Partially, land area and farming costs had a significant effect, while labor costs had no significant effect on the income of self-picking strawberry farmers. This is presumed due to inefficiencies in labor utilization. These findings emphasize the importance of land optimization and cost efficiency in improving farm income in the self-picking strawberry farming system.