Determinants of potato farming productivity and success: Factors and findings from the application of structural equation modeling

<h2>A B S T R A C T</h2> Potato production in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, fluctuates due to increasing production input costs. If this trend continues, the effectiveness of potato farming will be negatively affected. This study aimed to analyze the direct and indirect effects of the latent variables of farmer and farm characteristics on the latent variables of application of production factors, productivity, and success of potato farming. This study utilized a sample of 145 potato farmers as the primary data source. In addition, a structured interview technique was employed for data collection using predesigned questionnaires. The collected primary data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We found that the farmer characteristics variable has a positive and significant effect on the application of production factors and productivity. Moreover, the indicators of training on potato cultivation and contact with extension workers have the most substantial relationship with the farmer characteristics variable. Another significant result is that increasing productivity will increase the success of potato farming. Furthermore, the indicators that had the most substantial relationship with the productivity variable were capital and labor productivity indicators. Results indicate that the increasing capital productivity and labor productivity were the central concerns of farmers, agricultural extension workers, and local government to support the increased productivity and success of potato farming. Both can be improved via training on potato cultivation to potato farmers and increasing the frequency of agricultural extension activities in the field. The research findings make a real contribution to the existing knowledge by supporting previous findings and providing an alternative approach to farm managerial practices that can be used to increase the productivity and success of potato farming to ensure its sustainable growth, worldwide availability, and benefits on human health.