Influence of Internal and External Factors for Youth Agripreneurship Development in Sumatra Region

Abstract

Development of the agricultural sector is very necessary for efforts and policies to develop agricultural systems that can increase the regeneration of advanced and modern farmers. The research was aimed to analyze internal and external factors of youth agripreneurship development (YAD) in the Sumatra region. This research was conducted in the coordination area of Politeknik Pembangunan Pertanian Medan, which is spread over six provinces in Sumatra, including: Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, and Bengkulu provinces with all YAD participants in program period from 2017 to 2019. The internal factors include independence and knowledge, while the external factors include capital resources, innovative services, social networks and cooperation. This research was conducted from July until September 2020. The data collection method was conducted by face to face interviews with 230 respondents, field observations, and online interviews and then analyzed using Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT). The results showed the importance of strategy to improve the YAD through to implementing the diversification strategy. Strategies should be implemented by increasing knowledge and utilization of access to industry-based technology in customer service and product marketing; independence in increasing knowledge and communication skills by attending training; establish more intense cooperation with business partners; and increase promotion to various agencies and companies to attract and establish business cooperation.