The Feasibility of Business of Buffalo Used in the Traditional Funeral Ceremony (Rambu solo) in West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the business feasibility and analyze the influence of the production factors on the profit of the buffalo farming business used in funeral ceremony in West Sulawesi Province. This study used a survey method. The locations were selected by purposive random sampling for the highest population of buffalo. One hundred buffalo farmers were taken as respondents by a multistage random sampling method. The data were obtained by observation and direct interviews the farmers. The data was analysed descriptively and quantitatively. The study showed that there are two kinds of buffalo in West Sulawesi, the first one is the expensive buffalo and raised by intensive system. The expensive buffalo were consisted of Saleko, Doti Salamba and Bonga. The another one is Pudu (black) buffalo that reared by grazing system. The results showed that Return on Investment (ROI) of the buffalo farming business was 54.3%, Net Present Value (NPV) was IDR 6,642,607, Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) was 1.25. The factors of production inputs simultaneously significantly affected farmers profit (P<0.05). Forage cost and capital were the main production factors affecting the profit of the buffalo farming business (P<0.05). It is concluded that buffalo farming to fulfil the "Rambu Solo" traditional Ceremonial needed was profitable and feasible to run.