Capacity Building On Traditional Sago Entrepreneurs In Kepulauan Meranti Districts

Abstract

Developing of traditional sagu processing business is inseparable from sago processing capacity, both self capacity and business capacity owned. Strengthening the processing capacity of sago to improve the quality of processed products so that it has comparative and competitive advantages compared to other processed products. The purpose of this research is to know the level of processing capacity of traditional sago in Kepulauan Meranti and to formulate the pattern of strengthening traditional sago processing capacity in order to sago processing business continuity. Data collection is done by interview, observation and documentation. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive statistics to formulate the pattern of strengthening the capacity of traditional sago processing. The results showed that traditional sago processing business in Kepulauan Meranti was predominantly female (75.86%). The rest of the men (24.14%), with an average age of 47 years, had an average number of household members of 5 people. The highest formal education ever attended by most traditional sago processors is elementary and junior high, while the new high school reaches 41.38 percent. Sago processing business income contributed significantly to household income, amounting to 76.48%, while the rest (23.52%). The strengthening of traditional sago processing capacity requires an appropriate strategy, considering that there are 4 parties involved in strengthening the capacity of traditional sago processors, namely: (1) traditional sago processors as main actors, (2) extension agents as change agents, (3) government, and (4) private parties related to sago development in Kepulauan Meranti.