Association-based rubber trading system as an agricultural development innovation

Rubber is a necessary commodity produced by the agricultural sector in Kuantan Singingi Regency, but its role in improving welfare is not yet significant. Marketing agricultural products is still a problem because traders set prices unilaterally. Agricultural institutions solve farmers' problems, especially in the trading system. This research aims to build an association-based rubber trading system as an agricultural development innovation. This research uses a qualitative approach. Data and data sources were obtained from key informants, and triangulation was carried out. Nine informants were selected using snowball sampling. Data was collected through in-depth interviews using interview guides, observation, and documentation. Data was analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The research results show that the existence of the Kuantan Singingi Rubber Farmers Association (APKARKUSI) can play a role in distributing rubber to the Crumb Rubber Factory effectively and efficiently, can increase prices, can play a role in setting prices, can increase farmers' bargaining power, stabilize prices at the farmer level, guarantee quality according to buyers' needs, and can convey broad and transparent price information.