Optimizing the institutional role of community forest farmers groups in Basokan Village, Nanggala District, North Toraja Regency

Community involvement in forest management through community forest schemes is an integration of community participation for their social, economic and institutional strengthening without overriding aspects of the environment. This study aims to analyze the institutional conditions of the farmer group and the problems faced, and develop strategies in optimizing the role of forest farmer groups to encourage sustainable management. This research was conducted in March - May 2021 in the Community Forest in Basokan Village, Nanggala District, North Toraja Regency. Respondent research is determined purposive sampling-based variables that have been determined. Data analysis used in this study are descriptive qualitative analysis to assess the condition of farmer group institutions, and use Fishbone Analysis and Gap Analysis to assess the problems that occur as variables in developing strategies in optimizing the role of Community Forest farmer gropus. The results of the study found that the role of farmer group institutions was still low by looking at institutional elements including the provision of input and capital of low capital, the fulfillment of labor is limited, the absence of farmers developed together, processing of agricultural products was not carried out, limited market access by farmer groups, and access to limited information. Furthermore, the strategy compiled to optimize the role of farmer groups service is to facilitate access to farmer groups to financial institutions to obtain capital inputs and production inputs in order to develop business units that will be managed together, human resource and institutional development through mentoring and coaching programs such as capacity building in management Business, organizational management, production processing training is a product that is high economic value, and marketing training, and creates a healthy and sustainable marketing system to encourage the development of business units managed by forest farmer groups.