ANALYSIS OF SEAWEED CULTIVATION BUSINESS (Gracilaria Sp) IN TANJUNG SEMBILANG, MUARA SEMBILANG VILLAGE, SAMBOJA DISTRICT

This study aims to determine Income and marketing Analysis of Seaweed Cultivation Business (Gracilaria Sp) in Tanjung Sembilang, Muara Sembilang Village, Samboja District. The sampling method used was a census method, where all members of the population were taken as samples, totaling 2 samples. The results showed that the average total costs and profits obtained by farmers in seaweed pond cultivation of Gracilaria sp. in Muara Sembilang varied based on the pond area. In ponds less than 1 hectare (Ha) in size, the average total cost incurred by farmers is around Rp. 35,561,667 per year with an average profit of around Rp. 11,478,333 per year. In ponds of 1-2 hectares (Ha) in size, the average total cost is around Rp. 57,878,684 per year with an average profit of around Rp. 19,224,474 per year. Meanwhile, in ponds of 2-3 hectares (Ha) in size, the average total cost is around Rp. 84,210,167 per year with an average profit of around Rp. 62,789,833 per year. The data on average total costs indicate that the larger the pond area owned by farmers, the higher the costs incurred. Meanwhile, to achieve significant profits in this cultivation business, it is important to generate high income and reduce marketing costs. In Muara Sembilang, there is one marketing channel that follows the marketing chain from producers to collector traders, wholesalers, and exporters. There are differences in the value of margins, marketing costs, profits, and marketing efficiency at each stage of this marketing chain. The highest margin value, marketing costs, and profits are found in wholesalers at around Rp. 2,500 per kg, Rp. 5,261,111, and Rp. 2,260,859 per kg, respectively. From the calculations, the highest marketing efficiency is found in wholesalers in Samarinda and Makassar, at around 0.011%.