THE IMPACT OF THE ICARE PROGRAM ON FARMERS' WELFARE IN PASURUAN REGENCY, EAST JAVA PROVINCE

THE IMPACT OF THE ICARE PROGRAM ON FARMERS' WELFARE
IN PASURUAN REGENCY, EAST JAVA PROVINCE
INDRA KUSUMA
NIM : 2360101003
ABSTRACT
The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the World Bank, has
implemented a policy for the development of integrated farmer corporations
through the empowerment of farming communities, namely the ICARE (Integrated
Corporation of Agricultural Resource Empowerment) Program. This program is
expected to create standardized agricultural areas with an integrated approach from
upstream to downstream and improve the lives of farmers. This study aims to
analyze how ICARE activities in Pasuruan Regency, East Java Province, have
benefited farmer welfare over the past two years. It also analyzes how ICARE
activities have formed mango and corn farmer corporations, and how ICARE
programs have integrated interests and improved farmer welfare.
The study employed a qualitative design. Data were sourced from primary
and secondary data, with data collection techniques including interviews,
observation, documentation, and analysis. Data collection, data reduction, data
presentation, and conclusions were drawn from the ICARE Program.
The study found that farmer corporation empowerment activities through
the ICARE Program have been implemented through various activities, including
mentoring for mango and corn cultivation through to post-harvest, farmer skills
training, technical guidance, demonstration plots, field studies, and the
establishment of mango and corn cooperatives. Meanwhile, the impacts for farmers
after participating in the ICARE Program include: increased farmer knowledge,
increased production, strengthened agricultural institutions with mango and corn
farmer corporations, and improved farmer welfare.
Keywords: ICARE, Farmer Empowerment, Corporations, Farmer Welfare