Econonomic Feasibility of Certified Seed Business Performance for Supporting a Sustainable Clove Production: An Analysis of High-Production Block of Zanzibar Variety

Abstract

Sustainability of Indonesian clove depends on the seed availability and seed quality. The percentage of immature and damaged plant area reached 67% from total 580,441 ha of Indonesian plantation. Seed quality is an essential factor for the success of replanting and development. For standing integrity, the certification is one of the key guaranty system providing standard seed quality to maintain yield, quality, and preventing propensity of pest and diseases attack. The objective of this study was to analyze feasibility of some certified seed production models to support certified seed availability for clove development in West Sumtra Province. The study was done at the Bernas Nursary Farmers Group, Solok Regency. Data was calculated based on the Zanzibar Clove High-Production Block (HPB) performance and certified seed production. The obtained data were analyzed quantitatively through economic approach using Benefit/Cost Ratio. The finding results confirmed that the most need of clove seed of West Java Province could be fulfilled by the High Production Block (HPB) from Bernas Farmers Group nursary. Type of clove seed sold in that nursery: 1) unshelled seed of clove, 2) sprouted clove seeds with age of 10 days after sowing, and 3) Clove seed in polybag with age 6-9 months. All seed was harvested originally from mother plant of Zanzibar clove high production. The seedlings clove sprout and the seed in polybags form provide a positive flow of income and those seedling model providing good benefit revenue with an R/C ratio of 1.59 and 2.60, respectively. The certified clove seed in nursery of Bernas Farmers’ Group, in West Sumatra has a good economic feasibility and can be implemented in other clove center province.