Kompetensi Pembudidaya Ikan Lele dalam Mengelola Usaha di Muncar, Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur

The increase in fish production relates to the competencies of the fish farmers. A fish farmer should have specific competencies to run the aqua-culture business including: managerial skills, production skills and marketing skills. The current competencies of fish farmers in the Muncar District are still limited to production skills. This study aims to analyse the factors affect fresh water fish farmer’s competencies in managing the business. A survey was conducted from March to April 2016 to gather data from 48 fish farmers in Muncar Banyuwangi. Questionnaire composed of 71 questions about the why fish farmers plan the aquaculture bussines, managerial, feeding, and marketing was used to gather data from the respondents. Semi structured interviews were conducted to collect information from key informans. Data was analysed using a regression model represented that competencies were affected by individual characteristics of the fish farmers, availability of fishery inputs- ouputs and fisheries extension support services.The results show that 1) The fish farmers have a high level of competencies in managerial and production skills, but low competence in bargaining the price with the fish brokers. 2). Factors that are significantly affect the competencies are the number of dependents, availability of fishery inputs- ouputs and fisheries extension support services