Strategi Pemberdayaan Petani Rumput Laut di Desa Murante Kecamatan Suli, Kabupaten Luwu

Regency is a center of seaweed cultivation in South Sulawesi. Although Indonesia is the biggest cultivated seaweed producer, seaweed has not yet contributed maximally to the improvement of the seaweed farmer’s welfare. This study aims to examine the strategy of empowering seaweed farmers in Murante Village, Suli District, Luwu Regency. Research is exploratory research that intends to describe in detail the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities that exist, and provide a description of the conditions in depth. This research focuses on empowering seaweed farmers. Sampling using the interview method. Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities (SWOT) analysis are used to formulate development strategies, and Quantitative Strategy Planning Matrix (QSPM) analysis to set strategic priorities for empowering seaweed farmers. This research shows that seaweed farmers are responsible for increasing the scale of business through expanding the area of ponds and optimizing the use of family labor as a form of efficiency. Strategic priorities for empowering seaweed farmers are: (1) activating the role of government and related institutions in developing and developing human resources through training and assistance in implementing the latest technological innovations, quality improvement. and utilization of venture capital assistance; (2) increasing capital sources; (3) developing patterns of market partnership cooperation; (4) technical and non-technical assistance to farmers; (5) determination of the planting calendar; (6) counseling and post-harvest training; (7) replacing new seeds; and (8) expanding cultivation areas. Keywords: Seaweed farmers, empowering trategy, priority strategy, SWOT analysis, QSPM analysis.