Social Economic Conditions of Seaweed Farmers in Jeneponto Regency

Abstract: Abstract—Designing the right strategies for the business development of seaweed cultivation in Jeneponto Regency requires a variety of information. One of the required information is the socio-economic information of seaweed farmers. This study aimed to describe the socio-economic conditions of seaweed farmers in Jeneponto Regency. Research data were collected through direct interviews with seaweed farmers. Socio-economic data were collected from the Bangkala, Tamalatea, and Binamu districts. Interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires, and in-depth interviews were carried out to obtain detailed information from seaweed farmers. The results showed that seaweed farmers generally had a low level of education. Most of them graduated from elementary school were young category (33-44 years old), had a large family (≥ 4 people) and a low level of spending (≥ Rp 693,000/month), had not received seaweed cultivation training, had a narrow cultivation land for seaweed (≤ 2500 m²), had profit and production which was in the medium category (501 kg - 1500 kg), and often cooperated with other farmers in seaweed cultivation activities