DAYA SAING DAN SALURAN PEMASARAN RUMPUT LAUT: KASUS KABUPATEN JENEPONTO, SULAWESI SELATAN

The government is promoting seaweed cultivation as a means to improve the welfare of poorer regions. This study examines (a) the competitiveness of seaweed cultivation and (b) the technical and economic efficiency of seaweed marketing in Jeneponto Regency as representative of development backward region. The competitiveness of seaweed cultivation was estimated using a Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). The efficiency of seaweed marketing was estimated using a technical and economic efficiency index. This study shows that seaweed cultivation is competitive but is undermined by government policy. Farmers generally do not receive input subsidies or protection from government facilities and actually pay more than necessary for some inputs. The most efficient marketing channels both technically and economically is from farmers to merchant collectors to exporters.