Behavior factors affecting the performance and interest of young farmer on the horticulture business in Malang, Indonesia

The development of sustainable agricultural still depends on the role of human resources. Horticultural business in Malang tends to be done by young local farmers with various characteristics, such as individual characteristics, economic environment, social culture, empowerment, and managerial capacity. This study aims to determine the effect of individual characteristics and external environment on the interest of young farmers and horticultural businesses in Malang. The study was conducted using a purposive sampling method with several numbers of 200 young farmers. Data collection was carried out for 3 months (January to March 2019). The data were analyzed using WarpPLS Structural Equation Model. The results showed that the interest of horticultural farming in Malang Regency remains high, while the results of statistical tests showed that the performance of young farmers was influenced by individual characteristics, economic environment, socio-cultural environment, management capacity, and interest. On the other hand, both economic and socio-cultural environment affect performance through the interests of farmers, economic factors, family environment, and individual character, especially in terms of mastery of farming technology and capital which will encourage the interest of young farmers in horticultural farming in Malang, Indonesia. © EM International.