Analysis of the Sustainability Status of Water Spinach Farming Business on Lombok Island

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to: (1) Analyze the sustainability status of water spinach farming on Lombok Island (2) Identify attributes that influence the sustainability of water spinach farming on Lombok Island. This study used a descriptive method, and the unit of analysis was farmers who farm water spinach on Lombok Island spread across Mataram City, West Lombok Regency and East Lombok Regency with the consideration that these three areas have the largest harvest area. Data collection was carried out through surveys and direct interviews with respondents. The analysis method used is Multiaspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA) with Exsimpro software, which is used to measure sustainability by forming dimensions and attributes as well as benchmark indicators for scoring to determine the sustainability index value. This research resulted in: (1) The sustainability status of water spinach farming on Lombok Island using MSA analysis is included in the sustainable status with a sustainability index value of 50.26 on a scale of (50.01 – 75.00). (2) Sensitive attributes that influence the sustainability of water spinach on Lombok Island in each dimension, namely (a) Ecology: disease control (b) Economy: market access (c) Social: participation in extension or training (d) Technology: post-harvest processing (e) Institutions: existence of farmer groups and support institutions. Therefore, both the government and the farmers need to make improvements to pay more attention to the sustainability of water spinach cultivation, providing support in the form of training to implement sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, and to have access to more profitable markets.