ANALISIS POTENSI DAN STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN SAPI POTONG DENGAN POLA INTEGRASI KELAPA–SAPI DI KABUPATEN HALMAHERA SELATAN PROVINSI MALUKU UTARA

POTENTIAL ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PATTERN OF CATTLE WITH INTEGRATED COCONUT-COW IN SOUTH DISTRICT HALMAHERA NORTH MALUKU PROVINCE. Animal agricultural integration often found in South Halmahera district is the integration using coconut plantation and local beef pattern called coco-beef integration. Expected potential of land area, population of cattle supported by human and natural resources as well as market opportunities could develop coco-beef integration patterns providing the increasing economic impact for farmer welfare. This study aims to analyze the potential and development strategy of beef integration with coconut plantations in South Halmahera district. The research was conducted in South Halmahera district of North Maluku Province since November 2014 to February 2015. The determination of respondents was performed using simple random sampling method. Criteria of respondents involved in this study were household farmers running a coco-beef integration, at least animal maintenance of more than one year and they had sold cattle. The results showed the particular characteristics of household farmers including coconut plantation ownership of 3.2 ha with the average number of animals of 8.7 heads, the average education level of junior high school, the animal breeding experience of 7.9 years and animal maintenance purposes as beef production and animal labor . Management aspects of farm animals were still under the traditional maintenance systems, animals were resistant to disease, and house hold farmer knowledge on animal reproduction was still limited. Aspects of feed resources were positively supporting in the development of beef cattle under integration pattern, especially the nutritional value of forage and land carrying capacities. Livestock productivity aspects had quite well potential and supported facilities, including infrastructures. Therefore, it can be concluded that South Halmahera District has potential in the development of beef cattle farm applying cattle integration patterns in form of coco-beef natural resources supported by potentials of human resources, good government policy, infrastructure availability and market opportunities based on the analysis of the potential of South Halmahera district located in a strategic position as a development area of beef and coconut plantation integration patterns. Keywords: Cattle, Coconut plantation, Integration, South Halmahera regency