The Perception of Young Farmers Regarding the Sustainability of Food Farming in South Lampung Regency

Abstract

Food is a commodity that is always needed for the sustainability of people's lives, in Indonesia, and it serves as a cornerstone for economic development and growth. This study aims to understand the perceptions of young farmers regarding the sustainability of food farming in South Lampung Regency. The research was conducted from early November 2022 to January 2023. Primary data was collected through interviews with a group of 93 young farmers, assisted by questionnaire completion. Secondary data was obtained from the Lampung Agriculture Office. This research employed descriptive analysis methods. The results show that the perceptions of young farmers toward the sustainability of food farming are mostly categorized as high. This can be seen from internal factors, including education level, gender, and age. The higher the education level, the broader the horizons of young farmers, which increases their interest in farming. Women have a lower interest in farming because they prefer to take care of children and believe that agricultural work can ruin their appearance. Overall, respondents are in the productive age range of 30-35 years and fall into the category of young entrepreneurial farmers. External factors include income, availability of production facilities, and land area. The income of young farmers in South Lampung Regency is categorized as low, due to the limited agricultural land they cultivate. The availability of facilities is categorized as high. Young farmers believe that work in the agricultural sector is quite profitable in the long term and can maintain sustainability and stability in food security.