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Cardamom is a commodity with export advantages. The demands of cardamom continue to increase from year to year. The increase in cardamom production is inseparable from the role of farmers as the main players in supporting cardamom productivity. This study aims to analyze the socio-economic characteristics and motivations of cardamom farmers in Pekuncen and Kedungbanteng, Banyumas, Central Java. This research was conducted using descriptive analysis method using a Likert scale. The results of this study were as many as 66% of cardamom farmers were male and 75% were in productive age. As many as 52% of cardamom farmers have the last education in elementary school and are in the low education category. As many as 79% of farmers have just started cultivating cardamom in less than 5 years. 72% of cardamom farmers have family responsibilities of 3-5 people. Socio-economic motivations that encourage farmers to cultivate cardamom are divided into three, namely economic, psychological and sociological motivations. 34% of cardamom farmers in Pekuncen and Kedungbanteng are driven by economic motivation which is in the medium category. 52.6% of cardamom farmers are in the low category for the fulfillment of psychological motivation in cultivating cardamom. As many as 49.5% of cardamom farmers are driven by sociological motivation which is in the high category.

The aims of the study is to find out the sustainable livelihood strategy of asset-based communities in Kedungrandu Village, Patikraja Sub-district, Banyumas Regency. This research uses quantitative descriptive methods. The population in this study is a fragrant lemongrass farmer from Kedungrandu Village, with a total of 40 people. The data collection method uses the census method of 40 fragrant lemongrass farmers. Data analysis uses descriptive statistics. The results showed that the livelihood strategy of fragrant lemongrass farmers includes three strategies: intensification/extensification, diversification and migration. The livelihood strategy implemented by most of their farmers depends on agricultural activities (47.5%), some depend on livestock, fisheries, services, trade and employee activities or diversification (27.5%) and a small percentage (25%) depends on migration activities. The value of the level of livelihood capital of fragrant lemongrass farmers in Kedungrandu Village, namely human capital, natural capital, physical capital, financial capital and social capital is classified as a moderate level of sustainability. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve the quality of livelihood capital of fragrant lemongrass farmers to the maximum at a high level of sustainability.

This study aims to determine the comparative analysis of income, costs, and feasibility analysis of agro-industry in brown sugar agro-industry marketing chain in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The research method used a descriptive analysis method. This research was conducted in Girimulyo and Kokap Districts as brown sugar production centers. The method of data collection is done by survey technique. The method of sampling is simple random sampling consisting of brown sugar crafters, collectors, and Central Processing Unit (CPU) of 60 samples. The results showed that the highest profit was in the Central Processing Unit (CPU), then the collectors, and finally at the level of household-scale brown sugar crafters. This is due to the different business scales, limited capital, and raw materials which become the obstacles of the craftsmen in developing their businesses. While seen from the feasibility of the RC ratio, all RC ratios> 1 means that all businesses in the marketing chain are feasible.

At present, many farmer groups at Banyumas Regency are cultivating organic rice. Their activities are very progressive. They distribute at Baturraden, Sumbang, Kedungbanteng, and Pekuncen. The activities are closed relation in the market. There is trend in moving from seller’s merket to consumer’s market. The market is not determined by middle trader, but end product consumer (consumers driven). In the case, consumer’s require complete information about physical, chemical and biological characters of product. Therefore, producers must enclose liable information on labels. The goals of research were to analyze farming activity of organic rice, and study on consume’s preferences. Survey method was used, followed descriptive-qualitative analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) for finding out factors affecting consumers in buying organic rice and consuming the products based on profile and character of consumers. The research showed that (1) organic rice cultivation was profitable; (2) Attributes of organic rice consisting of price,flavor, availability, and guarantee of product are important; (3) Consumers are satisfied to the organic rice producer’s perfomance in determining price and flavor. We recommend to the producer for maintenance of quality (flavour), availability and guarantee of product.