A STUDY OF SUBSIDIZED FERTILIZER PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION EFFECTIVENESS IN GORONTALO UTARA

Abstract

This research set aims to (1) measure the need and availability of subsidized fertilizer, (2) analyze the effectiveness of the subsidized fertilizer program, and (3) examine the strategy for distributing subsidized fertilizer programs. The research data sources are secondary, from the Department of Agriculture in Gorontalo Utara, and primary, from an interview and questionnaire distribution. The research data analyses are the descriptive analysis, IPA, and SWOT. The results exhibit that (1) subsidized fertilizer available in Gorontalo Utara cannot cater to the farmers’ need for subsidized fertilizer. The effectiveness is only 62.7% and the district still lacks 37.3% of the total fertilizer called for by its farmers, (2) Subsidized fertilizer program distribution in Gorontalo Utara is still considered ineffective. The local government, in collaboration with other parties, should equalize the distribution. Our GAP and IPA analyses attest to it and indicate that quantity and time efficiency is still ineffective and hence demands augmentation. Meanwhile, the aspects of place and price efficiency are also ineffective, but they are on a low priority scale. Moreover, type and quality efficiency has been effective, and (3) The determined strategy for subsidized fertilizer distribution in Gorontalo Utara, based on the SWOT analysis, is in Quadrant IV, i.e., the diversification strategy.