Effect Of Decentralization Of Agricultural Counseling On Agricultural Environment Management At The South Kualuh Agricultural Extension Center Kec. Kualuh Selatan, Kab. Labuhan Batu

Introduction

Decentralization of agricultural extension has become a crucial aspect in improving the management of the agricultural environment at the South Kualuh Agricultural Extension Center, South Kualuh District, Labuhan Batu Regency. This research aims to explore the impact of decentralization of agricultural extension on agricultural environmental management and changes in farmers' income after the implementation of decentralization.

Background

The agricultural sector plays a vital role in the economy of many countries, including Indonesia. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including environmental degradation, low productivity, and limited access to information and technology. Decentralization of agricultural extension is a strategy aimed at addressing these challenges by empowering farmers to take control of their agricultural practices and make informed decisions.

Methodology

This research employed a survey method, collecting data through interviews and questionnaires. The respondents consisted of 60 members of farmer groups, divided into two groups that participated in the decentralization program and two groups that did not. The data obtained were analyzed using the calculation of average values, standard deviations, and percentage, as well as the "T" test to determine the difference in the average value between the farmer groups that followed decentralization and those who did not.

Results

The results of this study showed that the decentralization of agricultural extension had a positive impact on the management of the agricultural environment. The assessment of aspects of the extension system revealed an increase in the frequency of extension tailored to the needs of farmers and intensification of paddy rice cultivation with the application of more relevant technology. This indicates that the decentralized agricultural extension system has increased farmers' involvement in more efficient agricultural processes.

Environmental Quality

Environmental quality data also showed that farmers who followed decentralization had increased significantly. The average quality of farmers' decentralized environment reached 96.48%, while pre-decentralized farmers were only 39.33%. In terms of the application of technology, decentralized farmers showed excellent results with an average of 94.14%, compared to 62.11% in pre-decentralized farmers.

Rice Production

Rice production analysis also showed a significant difference. The average production of decentralized farmers was 4.5 tons per hectare per planting season, while pre-decentralized farmers only produced 3.44 tons per hectare per planting season. The revenue of decentralized farmers from lowland rice reached Rp 9,135,000, while the income of pre-decentralized farmers was only Rp 6,193,917. The average net income also showed a striking difference, which was Rp. 9,279,413 for decentralized farmers and Rp 4,701,242 for pre-decentralized farmers.

Conclusion

From the results of this study, several important recommendations can be made. First, farmers who have not followed decentralization projects are highly recommended to participate, so that the benefits of counseling can be felt by more farmers. Second, to ensure the sustainability and success of the decentralization project, it is expected that participants from the farmers have a minimum education above SLTP and under the age of 40. Third, to improve the management of the agricultural environment and rice productivity, as well as the income of farmers, the Labuhan Batu Regency Government is expected to maintain and strengthen the decentralized counseling system.

Recommendations

1. Participation in Decentralization Projects: Farmers who have not followed decentralization projects are highly recommended to participate, so that the benefits of counseling can be felt by more farmers.
2. Minimum Education and Age Requirements: To ensure the sustainability and success of the decentralization project, it is expected that participants from the farmers have a minimum education above SLTP and under the age of 40.
3. Maintenance and Strengthening of Decentralized Counseling System: The Labuhan Batu Regency Government is expected to maintain and strengthen the decentralized counseling system to improve the management of the agricultural environment and rice productivity, as well as the income of farmers.

Conclusion

Q: What is decentralization of agricultural extension?

A: Decentralization of agricultural extension is a strategy aimed at empowering farmers to take control of their agricultural practices and make informed decisions. It involves the transfer of decision-making authority from a central authority to local farmers, allowing them to make decisions about their own agricultural practices.

Q: What are the benefits of decentralization of agricultural extension?

A: The benefits of decentralization of agricultural extension include improved environmental management, increased agricultural productivity, and higher income for farmers. It also supports better agricultural sustainability in the area.

Q: How does decentralization of agricultural extension improve environmental management?

A: Decentralization of agricultural extension improves environmental management by increasing farmers' involvement in more efficient agricultural processes. It also promotes the use of more relevant technology, which leads to better environmental outcomes.

Q: What are the key findings of the study on the effect of decentralization of agricultural counseling on agricultural environment management in South Kualuh?

A: The key findings of the study include:

• Decentralization of agricultural extension had a positive impact on the management of the agricultural environment.
• The assessment of aspects of the extension system revealed an increase in the frequency of extension tailored to the needs of farmers and intensification of paddy rice cultivation with the application of more relevant technology.
• Environmental quality data showed that farmers who followed decentralization had increased significantly, with an average quality of farmers' decentralized environment reaching 96.48%.
• Rice production analysis showed a significant difference, with the average production of decentralized farmers being 4.5 tons per hectare per planting season, compared to 3.44 tons per hectare per planting season for pre-decentralized farmers.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The recommendations of the study include:

• Farmers who have not followed decentralization projects are highly recommended to participate, so that the benefits of counseling can be felt by more farmers.
• To ensure the sustainability and success of the decentralization project, it is expected that participants from the farmers have a minimum education above SLTP and under the age of 40.
• The Labuhan Batu Regency Government is expected to maintain and strengthen the decentralized counseling system to improve the management of the agricultural environment and rice productivity, as well as the income of farmers.

Q: What are the implications of the study for agricultural policy and practice?

A: The study has implications for agricultural policy and practice, including:

• The need for decentralization of agricultural extension to improve environmental management and agricultural productivity.
• The importance of involving farmers in decision-making processes to ensure that their needs are met.
• The need for governments to provide support and resources to farmers to enable them to participate in decentralization programs.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The limitations of the study include:

• The study was conducted in a specific region and may not be generalizable to other areas.
• The study relied on self-reported data from farmers, which may be subject to bias.
• The study did not examine the long-term effects of decentralization of agricultural extension.