DUALITY FUNCTIONS OF MULBERRY AND MULBERRY FARMERS' RATIONALITY IN SOUTH SULAWESI

Abstract

The mulberry plant is basically cultivated for silkworm food. During its development, mulberry has many commercial benefits, especially as a medicine. Based on these benefits, mulberry farmers in Pakkatto Village have made commercial innovations. It is in that context that this article aims to reveal these innovations. This research was conducted in Pakkatto Village, Gowa Regency as the center of mulberry plant development in South Sulawesi. This research is descriptive qualitative. There were 10 informants purposively from the mulberry farming community. Data collection was carried out through interviews, observation, and literature study. The data analysis technique used a three-way technique. From the results of this study, the following points were obtained: the innovations of the farmers were (1) making mulberry tea (teabags and brewed tea). (2) make mulberry juice. (3) making a traditional scrub powder from mulberry roots and leaves. They market the results of this innovation through stalls in the region. The conclusion of this study is that the innovation carried out by mulberry farmers is based on the commodity potential possessed by the mulberry plant itself.