Stategi Petani Dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan Melalui Budidaya Ikan Karamba (Studi Kasus Nagari Bayua Kabupaten Agam)
This study aims to examine the strategies of cage fish farmers in increasing income through cage fish farming in Nagari Bayua, Agam Regency, with a focus on challenges such as mass fish mortality due to extreme weather and water pollution in Lake Maninjau. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study collected primary data through in-depth interviews with key informants (cage farmers and community leaders) and direct observation at the cultivation sites, supplemented by secondary data from official documents. The results indicate that cage fish farming is the main source of livelihood for 276 farmers with a total of 3,711 cages, generating an average income of IDR 5-15 million per month per farmer. A SWOT analysis identified internal strengths such as local knowledge and access to natural resources, as well as weaknesses such as limited capital and weather dependence. External opportunities include government support and tourism potential, while the main threats are climate change and market competition. Recommended strategies include product diversification, simple technological innovation, and collaboration with stakeholders for risk mitigation, which are expected to increase income by 25-40% while supporting environmental sustainability. This study provides a basis for policies to develop sustainable fish farming in the lake's coastal areas.