The Role of Agricultural Extenders on The Productivity of Rice FarmingiIn The Border Area Of RI-RDTL

Abstract

Agricultural extension agents play an important role in increasing the intelligence and competence of farmers, especially for farmers in border areas. This study aims to determine: 1). General depiction of rice farming and productivity; 2). The role of agricultural extension agents on rice farming productivity; 3). The role of agricultural extension agents on rice farming productivity through the behavior of farmers in Kobalima District, Malaka Regency. The sample of extension workers by census was 9 extension workers, while the farmer groups by purposive sampling were 9 farmer groups. Data analysis used descriptive analysis and path analysis. The results showed that the general description of rice farming and productivity of rice in Kobalima Subdistrict, covers a land area of 9.1 ha, production 31 tonnes and productivity 2.74 tonnes / ha. Directly, the role of agricultural extension agents affects the productivity of rice farming with a significant value of 0.004, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9. Meanwhile, the partial test of education, dissemination, facilitation, consultation, supervision has a significant effect on the productivity of rice farming. Indirectly, the role of agricultural extension agents has a significant effect on the productivity of rice farming through the behavior of farmers with a significant value of 0.053. The coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.999. While the partial test; facilitation has a significant effect on the productivity of lowland rice farming through the behavior of farmers in Kobalima District, Malaka Regency.