Determinants of farmers’ motivation in turmeric cultivation: Evidence from smallholder farmers in Indonesia

Abstract

Farmers’ motivation plays a crucial role in determining the sustainability and economic performance of agricultural activities, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Motivated farmers are generally more willing to adopt improved practices, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain production despite various environmental and market challenges. However, empirical studies examining the motivational drivers of farmers cultivating high-value horticultural commodities such as turmeric remain limited, especially in rural areas of developing countries where smallholder farming dominates agricultural production. This study aims to analyze the level of farmers’ motivation in turmeric cultivation and to evaluate the income generated from turmeric farming in Nisombalia Village, Marusu District, Maros Regency, Indonesia. This research employs a quantitative descriptive approach using structured questionnaires with Likert scale measurements administered to 40 turmeric farmers. The collected data were analyzed using percentage scores and interval classifications to identify the relative importance of internal and external motivational factors. In addition, farm income analysis was conducted by comparing total production costs and total revenue obtained from turmeric cultivation. The results show that several internal factors strongly influence farmers’ motivation, including age (93.6%), basic needs (91%), farming experience (90.5%), and land potential (84.5%). Among external factors, marketing opportunities play the most significant role in motivating farmers, with an interval score of 92.3%. The total income generated from turmeric farming reached IDR 354,173,000, with an average income of IDR 8,854,325 per farmer. These findings highlight the importance of improving market access and institutional support to strengthen the sustainability and economic viability of turmeric farming.