This research aims to determine beef cattle potential as a leading commodity and the development strategy of agropolitan areas in Padang Pariaman Regency. The research was conducted using a descriptive qualitative method, namely research that is focused on problems based on facts and carried out by means of observation, interviews, and studying documents. The respondents were determined purposively with the provisions of farmers who specifically raise local beef cattle in 3 districts which are the agribusiness centers in agropolitan area, so that a total of 101 farmers, and in-depth interviews with 10 experts. Data analysis was conducted using analysis of existing conditions of resources and other supporting factors, Location Question (LQ) and shift share analysis (SSA) to determine beef cattle potential, and SWOT analysis was used to formulate agropolitan area development strategies. The results showed that the existing conditions of land availability, natural conditions, characteristics of farmers and beef cattle farming, farmer institutions and animal husbandry institutions, infrastructure and facilities are quite supportive although some of these aspects need improvement from the government. Beef cattle have potential as a leading commodity as evidenced by LQ>1, which means that beef cattle are a commodity that has a comparative advantage that can fulfilling the needs of beef cattle at the district and regency area and even can be sold to other regions but beef cattle do not have a competitive advantage, this is indicated by the negative SSA value. This means that beef cattle production growth in this agropolitan area is still low compared to other regions in West Sumatra Province. The strategy for developing agropolitan areas can be carried out with an aggressive strategy. An aggressive strategy is carried out by optimizing the strengths and opportunities in agropolitan areas. Priority strategies in the development of agropolitan areas based on leading commodities (beef cattle), namely (1) policies to increase the population and body weight of beef cattle through improving the quality standards of animal feed and disease control, can be done with more intensive training and technical assistance, (2) policies to increase the availability of animal feed, by utilizing land and crop waste and forming more feed banks (3) policies to facilitate obtaining production facilities by reactivating livestock groups, the government facilitates access to capital and assistance with feed and medicine, (4) policies to improve marketing, by revitalizing livestock markets with management by local governments and Animal Husbandry Department so that they can attract cross-regional beef cattle trade and (5) the government needs to formulate an agropolitan master plan.
Keywords | Leading commodity, Beef cattle potential, Agropolitan, Development strategy