Community Based Development in Agrotourism Case Study: Dragon Fruit Plantation in Desa Baru, Kampar District, Riau Province

Abstract

Conditions of soil and climate in Desa Baru is perfect for Dragon fruit plants, so the it has a plantation area of Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) which is managed by a private of 500 Ha . While there was still a lot of vacant land in Desa Baru that has not been used by the community for life. Most of the people work as farmers, either individually or cultivate land as farm laborers. The public must be able to harness the potential in Desa Baru as a tool to improve the economy, due to the economic level of local population is still relatively low. Dragon fruit plantation can become tourist activities and the results can be sold as a source of income for the community. Another advantage is the location of the plantation not far from Pekanbaru City (20 Km) as a capital of Riau Province and directly adjacent to Desa Buluh Cina as a ecotourism village (Rimbo Tujuah Danau). So the Dragon fruit growing areas can synergize with other tourist activities in Riau Province.This study aims to assess the development potential ofcommunity based development in agroturismespeciallydragon fruitplantation. Astudy using qualitative descriptive research method. Data were collected by using observation, question naires and interviews. Based on the research activities are contributing factors in agrowisata dragon fruit plantation in Desa Baru : 1) Prospects Dragon Fruit plantations are profitable . 2) Absorb local labor . 3) Revenue and local communities can be increased . 4) The potential of the land and the location of the advantageous location . 5) People are friendly to newcomers . While the inhibiting factors that : 1) . The state of infrastructure is inadequate . 3) Lack of support from the government . 4) The low quality of human resources . 5) Lack of promotion for tourists . Plantation development aims to increase people's income so development concept is based on the analysis of agrotourism, the development of strategies that can be done such as (1) the formation of which has a specific tourist areas . (2) the establishment of small industrial activities especially in Dragon Fruit processing and handicraft . (3) Improvement of infrastructure and facilities in the field of agro plantation. 4) increase local income by selling dragon fruit both local and international market.