Competency level of vegetable farmers in Bener Meriah District

Abstract The characteristics of farmers are closely related to the level of competence they have. This study aims to analyze the level of vegetable farmers’ competence in Bener Meriah Regency and to analyze what factors are related to the competence of vegetable farmers in Bener Meriah Regency. This study was conducted in Bener Meriah Regency using a survey method. The results showed that the competence of vegetable farmers in Bener Meriah Regency is still classified as adequate, not yet reaching a very adequate level. The technical competence of cultivation from the seven attributes assessed, three attributes are adequate, two attributes are very adequate, and two attributes are in the inadequate category. Vegetable farmers in this area are still unable to handle pests and plant diseases properly. The managerial competence of farmers is also still classified as adequate. The social competence of farmers is classified as adequate with three attributes in the adequate category and one attribute is inadequate. Factors related to the competence of vegetable farmers in Bener Meriah Regency include farmer age, education, active role in extension, and scale of farming. Farmers aged between 40 and 50 years have cultivated vegetables many times supported by education, active role in extension, and adequate land ownership scale are more competent technically, managerially, and socially. Farmers with these characteristics are better able to build collaborative networks with their business partners.