PERAN PENYULUH PERTANIAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN SAYURAN PADA KELOMPOK TANI NEKMESE DI DESA KESETNANA KECAMATAN MOLLO SELATAN KABUPATEN TIMOR TENGAH SELATAN

Abstract

This study aims to determine the role of agricultural extension agents in increasing vegetable crop production. The next objective is to determine the efforts made by extension agents to increase vegetable crop production and the production problems faced by farmers. The research was conducted in Kesetnana Village, South Mollo District, South Central Timor District. Measurements use an ordinal scale and are quantified with a Likert scale. Analysis of the role of extension agents used quantitative descriptive analysis by comparing the percentage value of achieving the maximum score of the average score with a reference table. Meanwhile, to find out the efforts made by extension workers to increase vegetable crop production and production problems faced by farmers with qualitative descriptive analysis. Based on the results of data analysis, it was found that the average score of the agricultural instructor's role as a facilitator in increasing the production of vegetable farming in the Nekmese Farmer Group averaged 2.31 (77.08%). The average score of the role of agricultural extension as a motivator is 2.52. (84.02%) and the average score of the role of extension workers as educators is 2.48 (82.64%). This shows that the role of agricultural extension workers as motivators and educators in improving vegetable farming in the Nekmese farmer group is classified as "playing a role".  While the role of the extension worker as a facilitator is classified as "enough role". Efforts made by extension workers are advocating the use of modern technology, use of fertilizers, introducing farmers to the symptoms of various diseases or pests and what actions should be taken. The problem that is often found in the Nekmese farmer group is the lack of assistance with facilities and infrastructure, the lack of subsidies for fertilizers and also medicines for farmers.