Agricultural sector development strategy in enhancing local economic competitiveness in Blitar City

Abstract

The success of regional development could be seen through the level of economic growth among its sectors. In case of Blitar City, although it has limited natural resources, but environmental issues and food securities were the main priorities. Agriculture, as one of the sectors with rapid growth in Blitar City, showed a positive trend which was strengthened by an increase in vegetable consumption, so that food should become the main issue in development priorities. This study aimed to map all economic sectors and formulate appropriate strategies for the agricultural sector as the main driver of food security in Blitar City. This study conducted quantitative descriptive method using secondary data in the form of GRDP in Blitar City and East Java during 2015–2021. The data analysis method combined the Location Quotient analysis, Shift Share, Klassen typology, and SWOT analysis. The results of the study indicated that although the agricultural sector was not classified as the leading sector in Blitar City, but in the economic structure it was classified as a sector that has potential and is growing rapidly. This was the first sectoral competitiveness study before and during Covid 19 pandemic in Blitar City. Considering the urgency of maintaining food security, stakeholders should enhance the urban farming system, by utilizing digital technology in the business cycle so that the value of Blitar City's competitiveness would be higher in the agricultural sector.