BANGLI, Bali (BPN) – Farmers are no longer just growing crops. In Bunutin Village, Bangli District, they have now begun to manage their farms using a modern business approach, thanks to a farm management assistance program organized by Mahasaraswati University Denpasar (Unmas Denpasar) through its Agribusiness Study Program.
Led by Ir. I Made Budiasa, M.Agb. with Prof. Dr. Ir. I Ketut Arnawa, M.P and Prof. Dr. Ir. Ni G. A. Gede Eka Martiningsih, M.Si , this activity aims to facilitate small farmers with managerial skills so that they are able to develop business plans, keep financial records, analyse profits and losses, and develop marketing strategies.
This program targets fish farmers and agriculturalists who have not been able to manage their businesses efficiently and sustainably.
“We want to shift farmers’ mindset from simply ‘working in the fields’ to ‘managing an agricultural business.’ This is important to increase their income and competitiveness,” said Ir. Budiasa.
This activity was carried out in an integrated manner through group training, farming business clinics, and field visits.
Farmers are encouraged to develop business plans, record cash flow, calculate break-even points, and analyse profit ratios (R/C Ratio).
The training results show significant improvement, with participants’ understanding increasing from 65% to 76.5% and technical skills from 50% to 80%.
A simple cash book was also distributed as a recording tool. Farmers were trained to separate business finances from personal finances, a small but vital step in building a financially healthy agriculture.
“Our approach is not only technical but also addresses institutional and marketing aspects. The goal is for farmers to be truly prepared to face market dynamics and business risks,” added Prof. Dr. I Ketut Arnawa, one of the team members.
With multi-stakeholder support, including universities, government, and the private sector, this empowerment model demonstrates that agricultural transformation from upstream to downstream is not just a concept. It is happening—and it starts in the village.
