PERSEPSI PETANI TERHADAP PERAN PENYULUH PERTANIAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS USAHATANI HORTIKULTURA SAYUR SAWI DI DESA TIWATOBI KECAMATAN ILE MANDIRI KABUPATEN FLORES TIMUR

Abstract

This research had been conducted in Lewokeleng Village, Ile Boleng District, Flores Timur Regency, from February to March 2018. This study aims to know; 1) characteristics of horticultural crops, 2) Perception of farmers on the role of agricultural extension workers as educators, informators, companions, consultants, and mentors in increasing the productivity of vegetable horticultural farming, 3) Perception of farmers to the role of agricultural counselor in increasing the productivity of vegetables farming, and 4) Constraints were faced by farmers in improving productivity of vegetable farming. Data collection method used in this research was survey method. The location of the study was determined intentionally. Respondents were determined as many as 55 farmers, selected by simple random sampling from 122 families of vegetables farmers. The types of the collected data are primary and secondary data. To know the first and second purposes, data was analyzed descriptively and quantitatively, then to know the third purpose, data was analyzed descriptively using likert scale, and to know the fourth purpose, data was analyzed descriptively and quantitatively.

The results of research are; 1) The average of productive land which is used by farmers in Lewokeleng Village, Ile Boleng District, East Flores Regency is ​​0.50-1.0 ha. The majority of land which the respondents were working on is self-owned land. The management of vegetable farming, includes land preparation, seeding, planting, maintenance, harvesting and post harvest, and marketing. agriculture in research area is classified as developing agriculture. 2) The role of agricultural counselor in overcoming problems had faced by farmers, most farmers have felt the service of agricultural counselor, the role of the agricultural counselor are 40,36% as educator, 38,55% as informer, 40,48% as companion, 40,00% as consultant, and 40,55% as mentor. The frequency of agricultural counselor activities was low. 3) The perception of farmers on the role of agricultural counselor in increasing the productivity of horticultural crop farming in the village of Lewokeleng included "less good" category with maximum achievement percentage on 37,95% of the range of 36-51%. 4) All respondents faced the same problems which was lack of local government involvement, agricultural counselor involvement, assistance that is inconsistent with the needs of farmers, limited capital, lack of manpower and time, skills and experience of farmers, and markets.