Perception of Patchouli Farmers on the Development of the

Innovation Cluster in Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency

M. Y. Wardhana

, I. Indra

, D. Andriani

Department of Agribusiness, Syiah Kuala University, 23111, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Keywords: Perception, Patchouli Farmers, Innovation Cluster, Community Development

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the interests and attitudes of patchouli farmers towards the

development of patchouli innovation clusters and to find out and analyze people's perceptions of the

development of patchouli innovation clusters in Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency. The choice of location in this

study was done intentionally (purposive sampling) with the reason that the research location is the place for

the patchouli innovation cluster development plan. How to determine the sample in this study using the census

method. The samples determined in this study were 80 patchouli farmers. The analytical method used in this

research is the Likert scale and descriptive qualitative method. The results of the study showed that the

attitudes (affective) and perception (cognitive) of patchouli farmers were good for the development of

patchouli innovation clusters. Respondents hope the patchouli innovation cluster can be built immediately so

that the standard of living of the community in the District of Panga can be prosperous. Perceptions generated

from patchouli farmers are positive perceptions, the community is very receptive to innovations in Aceh Jaya

on patchouli cultivation from upstream to downstream so that the cluster is very beneficial for the surrounding

community.

1 INTRODUCTION

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth) is a plant that

grows low close to the soil surface, has smooth leaves

and rectangular-shaped stems. The dried leaves of the

patchouli plant are distilled to produce patchouli oil.

Patchouli oil is commonly used as a binding agent in

the perfume, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries

(Maulidi, 2005).

Syaifullah, head of the Aceh ARC (2017) said that

Patchouli Aceh (Pogostemon Cablin, Benth) is one of

Aceh's leading commodities. Patchouli Aceh is the

best patchouli in the world which has a Patchouli

Alcohol (PA) content above 30%. Indonesia is a

supplier of 90% of the world's patchouli oil needs and

15% of them have come from Aceh. Some patchouli

oil-producing provinces in Indonesia, namely the

provinces of West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central

Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Aceh, North Sumatra, West

Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, Lampung, West

Java, Central Java, D.I. Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali,

East Nusa Tenggara, and East Kalimantan.

Production from these regions controls 80% to 90%

of the world patchouli market. When viewed from the

area of smallholder plantations, then West Sumatra is

the widest area, while in terms of production, that is

the province of Aceh with the most production,

estimated at 645 tons. In addition to the amount of

production, Aceh Province is famous for the best

patchouli quality in the world with one of its superior,

namely Tapaktuan varieties.

According to Mahmud, (2019) the quality of

patchouli oil in Aceh province has a yield (oil

content) ranging from 2.6% -3.3%, while the average

patchouli in the world only reaches 2.5%. This is

based on the results of the research team of

researchers from Bogor. Aceh patchouli production is

spread in Aceh Jaya District, Southeast Aceh, Aceh

Besar, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Central Aceh,

North Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, Gayo Lues, Sabang,

West Aceh, Nagan Raya, Southwest Aceh, South

Aceh, and Aceh Singkil. Aceh Jaya has a long history

of patchouli oil production, along with areas that

cultivate patchouli plants, namely Lamno,

Sampoiniet, Lhokruet, Panga, Pasie Raya and

Teunom since decades ago. Aside from having a long

history of patchouli, Aceh Jaya is also easily

accessible and has a very strategic position.

134

Wardhana, M., Indra, I. and Andriani, D.

Perception of Patchouli Farmers on the Development of the Innovation Cluster in Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency.

DOI: 10.5220/0009958101340139

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference of Essential Oils (ICEO 2019), pages 134-139

ISBN: 978-989-758-456-5

Table 1. Patchouli Aceh Jaya production in 2008 – 2017

Number Year Land area (Ha) Production (Ton)

1 2017 146 25

2 2016 - -

3 2015 - -

4 2014 158 16

5 2013 342 35

6 2012 308 11

7 2011 330 26

8 2010 245 14

9 2009 245 14

10 2008 336 14

Total 2110 155

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2018

The patchouli production data table above, it can

be seen that patchouli production from 2008-2017

experienced a fluctuation due to the lack of

enthusiasm of the community towards patchouli

cultivation activities. This lack of enthusiasm is

caused by patchouli being susceptible to pests, which

are very difficult to control and pests can make the

income of patchouli farmers drastically decrease. For

this reason, the development of patchouli innovation

clusters will greatly help increase the enthusiasm of

the community to do patchouli cultivation because

this cluster is a container that can accommodate the

community's production so that people are

encouraged to do the patchouli production process

appropriately. Therefore, the Aceh Jaya government

took the initiative to create a program in collaboration

with the Atsiri Research Center Unsyiah for the

development of patchouli clusters.

2 METHODS

2.1 Location and Research Object

This research will be conducted in Panga District,

Aceh Jaya Regency, Aceh Province. The choice of

location for the study was due to the construction of

the cluster in the area of Panga District, Aceh Jaya

Regency. This research will be conducted in

February-May 2019. This research uses descriptive

qualitative methods.

The object of this research is the farmers who

cultivate patchouli plants in the District of Panga,

Aceh Jaya Regency. The scope of this research is

limited to the perception of patchouli farmers on the

development of patchouli innovation clusters. The

data used in the form of primary data obtained from

interviews and questionnaires for patchouli farmers in

the District of Panga, Aceh Jaya District and using

secondary data. Perception is assessed using the

affective aspect evaluation method while attitudes

and interests use the cognitive assessment aspect.

2.2 Data Analysis

This research uses the descriptive qualitative method

because the researcher wants to describe the public

perception of the development of patchouli

innovation cluster. Qualitative descriptive research is

research that describes an object of research based on

facts that appear or as they are in the field (Nawawi

and Martini, 1996).

3 THE RESULT

3.1 Patchouli Farmers Mindset

The existence of mindset regarding eradication of

pests on patchouli plants as well as support from

various parties can increase the amount of production

which is currently the amount of patchouli crop

production that is still fluctuating. The following will

explain the expectations of patchouli farmers based

on aspects of mindset, the first is increasing public

awareness in order to continue cultivating patchouli

plants. This awareness can be in the form of providing

financial assistance or providing input to farmers on

the obstacles faced by patchouli farmers. The Aceh

Jaya government expects the participation of

patchouli farmers to jointly maintain the patchouli

innovation cluster when it is completed.

Second is knowing important and want to increase

knowledge about the patchouli innovation cluster.

Patchouli innovation cluster is new for farmers in

Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency. Their hope regarding this

is that the government will continue to socialize and

try to provide the latest information, thoroughly and

packaged so that patchouli farmers can continue to

understand easily.

Third is the increasing attention of the

government by providing solutions to problems that

are being experienced by patchouli farmers. The

solution is expected as follows: financial assistance

that will motivate the productivity of patchouli plants,

counselling assistance or socialization about the

importance of this cluster and the benefits of the

cluster for patchouli farmers, making it easier to

obtain the means of production and marketing means

Perception of Patchouli Farmers on the Development of the Innovation Cluster in Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency

135

of production yields, meeting to listen to farmers'

opinions and training can improve the performance of

farmers in cultivating patchouli plants.

3.2 Attitudes and Interests of Patchouli

Farmers

Understanding of interests according to language

(etymology), is the effort and willingness to learn and

look for something. In terminology, interest is desire,

liking, and willingness to something. According to

(Hilgard, Ernest, Bower 1996) interest is a process

that is constant to pay attention and focus on

something that interests him with feelings of pleasure

and satisfaction. In other words, interest is a feeling

of preference and a sense of attachment to the

patchouli inactivation cluster or atmosphere activities

without anyone asking. Interest is the acceptance of a

relationship between oneself and something outside

of oneself. The stronger or closer the relationship, the

greater the interest.

Table 2. Results of Indicators for the Evaluation Aspect of

Patchouli Farmers in Panga

Indicators

Affective

Assessment

Aspects

Question

Indeks

(%)

Rating

Interval

1 Receiving You are happy

to observe the

explanation

about patchouli

innovation

cluster

65 Strongly

agree

2 Responding "You are happy

to give

questions to

researchers

when

researchers are

giving

explanations

about clusters"

78,75

Strongly

agree

"You dare to

express

opinions/questio

ns when

researchers have

finished

presenting

material on

patchouli

innovation

cluster"

55 Neutral

3 Evaluating "You are

optimistic about

the development

of patchouli

innovation

cluster"

73,75 Strongly

agree

Indicators

Affective

Assessment

Aspects

Question

Indeks

(%)

Rating

Interval

4 Organize You are

interested in the

development of

patchouli

innovation

cluster

57,5 Neutral

5 Characteriz

ation

"The positive

attitude of

patchouli

farmers towards

patchouli

innovation

cluster

development"

48,75

Strongly

agree

"You get clear

information

about patchouli

innovation

cluster"

96,25 Strongly

agree

"Knowledge of

patchouli

innovation

cluster is

beneficial"

52,5 Strongly

agree

"How big are

your hopes for

the development

of patchouli

innovation

cluster in Panga

District, Aceh

Jaya Regency"

83,75 Strongly

agree

Source: Primary Data (processed), 2019

The attitudes and interests of farmers towards the

development of patchouli innovation clusters are

explained in the affective evaluation aspects which

have 5 indicators, namely:

a. Receiving there were 52 (65%) respondents

strongly agree with the statement above. It can be

concluded that there are a lot of patchouli farmers

who have sensitivity and (desire / pay attention)

to an explanation of patchouli innovation clusters

that they are able to accept material that has been

submitted by researchers, while those who answer

are neutral because they cannot understand and

capture material quickly about clusters patchouli

innovation is also caused by low levels of

education.

b. Responding there were 63 (78.75%) respondents

who strongly agreed with the first statement and

there were 44 (55%) respondents who were

neutral about the second statement. It can be

concluded that many patchouli farmers are not too

brave to show their active attention to ask about

the development of the patchouli innovation

cluster.

ICEO 2019 - 2nd International Conference of Essential Oil Indonesia

136

c. Evaluating there were 59 (73.75%) respondents

who strongly agreed to the question. It can be

concluded that respondents are optimistic about

the patchouli innovation cluster development and

the results show that there are 59 (73.75%)

respondents who are very confident of successful

patchouli innovation cluster development, while

21 (26.25%) are pessimistic about the patchouli

innovation cluster development.

d. Organizing there are 46 (57.5%) of respondents

who are neutral about the statement. It can be

concluded that patchouli farmers are not too

interested in the development of patchouli

innovation clusters. Perhaps the cause of the lack

of interest is due to the lack of information

transfer they get from the surrounding

government so that they are still not too aware of

patchouli innovation clusters. patchouli

innovation cluster.

e. Forming character (characterization) there are 39

(48.75%) who strongly agree with the first

statement, there are 77 (96.25%) respondents who

strongly agree with the second statement, there are

42 (52.5%) respondents who strongly agree with

the statement third and there are 67 (83.75%)

respondents who strongly agree with the fourth

statement. It can be concluded that the attitude of

the farmer's good attitude towards cluster

development, farmers get clear information about

patchouli innovation clusters that researchers

explain, knowledge about the cluster is beneficial

for farmers and farmers to have great expectations

that patchouli innovation clusters will be built.

3.3 Patchouli Farmers' Perception

Perception is the act of compiling, recognizing and

interpreting sensory information to provide an

overview and understanding of the environment.

Perception includes all signals in the nervous system,

which are the result of the physical or chemical

stimulation of the sensing organs. This research was

conducted to determine the perception of patchouli

farmers to patchouli innovation cluster development.

Patchouli farmers 'perception of patchouli innovation

cluster development is that patchouli farmers'

perceptions are very good and very supportive of the

patchouli innovation cluster development, patchouli

farmers hope that patchouli innovation clusters in

Panga sub-district, Aceh Regency can be built

immediately to help the patchouli farmer's economy

to prosper. Patchouli farmers also want to be involved

in the development of the patchouli innovation

cluster.

Table 3. Results of Indicators for the Aspects of Cognitive

Assessment of Patchouli Farmers in Panga District

No. Indicator Aspects

of Cognitive

Assessment

Indeks

1 Knowledge There are 53 (66.25%)

respondents who can repeat

the material very well

about patchouli innovation

cluster that has been

submitted by researchers.

2 Comprehension There are 60 (75%)

respondents who can

remember and understand

the material and can

explain it in detail about the

patchouli innovation cluster

that researchers have

conveyed.

3 Application There were (71.25%) of

respondents who were very

capable of applying

theories, ideas or goals of

cluster development

properly and correctly.

4 Analysis There were 59 (73.75%)

respondents who were able

to think well and correctly

about the material that the

researchers had conveyed

about the patchouli

innovation cluster.

5 Synthesis There were 57 (71.25%)

respondents who were able

to describe and conclude

the material that had been

explained by researchers

about the patchouli

innovation cluster.

6 Evaluation There were 51 (63,75)

respondents who were able

to master the material on

patchouli innovation

clusters that researchers

had explained in the

discussion group discussion

forum (FGD).

Source: Primary Data (processed), 2019

Based on the results table indicators of aspects of

the cognitive evaluation of patchouli farmers in the

District of Panga can be concluded as follows:

a. Knowledge is measured by the way respondents

can remember and repeat the material that

researchers have conveyed without any assistance

and assistance from anyone to recall the material.

From 80 respondents there were 9 (11.25%)

respondents who could not repeat material about

Perception of Patchouli Farmers on the Development of the Innovation Cluster in Panga, Aceh Jaya Regency

137

patchouli innovation clusters that the researchers

had explained, but there were also respondents

who were unable to repeat well the material about

patchouli innovation clusters that researchers had

explained that was equal to 15 (15 18.75%) and

there were 53 (66.25%) respondents who were

able to repeat the material very well about the

patchouli innovation cluster that was submitted by

the researcher.

b. Comprehension is measured by the way

respondents can understand and comprehend

material that has been known and can recall the

patchouli innovation cluster that has been

delivered by researchers in detail and can explain

in their own words. From 80 respondents there

were 12 (15%) respondents who could not

understand the patchouli innovation cluster

material submitted by researchers, 8 (10%) were

respondents who did not really understand the

material about patchouli innovation cluster that

researchers had conveyed and there were 60

(75%) respondents who are able to remember and

understand the material and can explain it in detail

about the patchouli innovation cluster that

researchers have conveyed.

c. Application is measured by the ability to connect,

choose, organize, move, arrange, use, apply,

classify, change the structure. From 80

respondents there are 7 (8.75%) respondents who

are unable to apply theories, ideas or goals of the

patchouli innovation cluster development that

researchers have conveyed, but there are 16 (20%)

respondents who are not able to apply theories,

ideas or cluster development goals and 57

(71.25%) other respondents are very capable of

applying theories, ideas or cluster development

goals properly and correctly.

d. The analysis is measured by the ability to think

logically in reviewing a fact/object in more detail.

Characterized by the ability to compare, analyse,

find, allocate, differentiate, categorize. namely the

ability to think to capture & apply appropriately

about theories, principles, symbols in new/real

situations. From 80 respondents there were 9

(11.25%) respondents who could not think

logically in reviewing the material that

researchers had conveyed about the patchouli

innovation cluster, but there were 12 (15%)

respondents who could not think logically in

reviewing material that had been researchers

convey about patchouli innovation cluster and

there are 59 (73.75%) other respondents who are

able to think well and correctly about the material

that researchers have conveyed about patchouli

innovation cluster.

e. Synthesis is measured by the ability to think to

integrate concepts logically so that it becomes a

new pattern. Characterized by the ability to

synthesize, infer, produce, develop, connect,

specialize. From 80 respondents there were 6

(7.5%) respondents who were unable to conclude

properly about patchouli innovation caster

material that had been submitted by researchers,

but there were also 17 (21.25%) respondents who

could conclude material about patchouli

innovation cluster was not so detailed and

complete and there are 57 (71.25%) other

respondents were able to describe and conclude

the material that has been explained by

researchers about the patchouli innovation cluster.

f. Evaluation is measured by the ability to think to

be able to consider a situation, value system,

methods, problems and solutions by using certain

benchmarks as a benchmark. Characterized by the

ability to judge, interpret, consider and determine.

Of the 80 respondents there were 10 (12.5%)

respondents who could not understand what the

researchers explained about patchouli innovation

clusters, but also there were 19 (23.75%)

respondents who understood but not all of them

understood only a portion of the material about

patchouli innovation which he understood, and in

addition there were 51 (63.75) respondents who

were able to master the material on patchouli

innovation clusters that researchers had explained

in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) forum.

4 CONCLUSION

1. After conducting the research, it was concluded

that the attitudes and interests of patchouli farmers

towards the development of patchouli innovation

clusters based on the 5 indicators tested were: (1)

Receiving 65% of respondents strongly agreed

and accepting the development of patchouli

innovation clusters. (2) Responding of 78.75%

strongly agreed and happy to give questions about

patchouli innovation cluster material and 55% of

respondents strongly agreed and dared to express

their opinions when the researchers had finished

presenting material about the cluster. (3)

Evaluating of 73.75% of respondents strongly

agreed and optimistic about the development of

the patchouli innovation cluster while 26.25% of

the other respondents were pessimistic about the

construction of the cluster. (4) Organizing 57.5%

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138

of respondents were neutral or the farmers' lack of

interest in the development of patchouli

innovation clusters caused the farmers were not

interested because of lack of information obtained

and frequent socialization or outreach by the local

government. (5) Establish characterization of

48.75% of respondents strongly agree and have a

positive attitude and attitude towards cluster

development, amounting to 96.25% strongly

agree and get very clear information from

researchers about the cluster, amounting to 52.5%

respondents strongly agree and according to these

respondents knowledge of the cluster provides

good benefits for them and 83.75% of respondents

strongly agree and their expectations are very

large towards the development of patchouli

innovation cluster From the attitudes and interests

in a scale of 5 (strongly agree). Because the most

answers from respondents are scale 5 or (strongly

agree) to the questions the researcher gave so it

can be concluded that this shows that the cluster

needs to be built immediately.

2. After conducting the research, it was concluded

that patchouli farmers' perceptions of patchouli

innovation cluster development based on 6

indicators tested were: (1) Knowledge of 66.25%

of respondents who were able to repeat material

very well. (2) Comprehension (75%) of

respondents who can remember and understand

the material and can explain it in detail about the

patchouli innovation cluster. (3) Application of

71.25% of respondents is very capable of applying

theories, ideas or the purpose of cluster

development properly and correctly. (4) Analysis

of 73.75% of respondents who can think properly

and correctly about the material that researchers

have conveyed about the patchouli innovation

cluster. (5) Synthesis of 71.25% of respondents

was able to describe and conclude the material

that has been explained by researchers about

patchouli innovation clusters and (6) Evaluation

of 63.75% of respondents who can master the

material about patchouli innovation clusters that

the researcher explained in the Focus Group

Discussion (FGD).

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