ANALISIS PENDEKATAN PENYULUHAN PERTANIAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS PADI SAWAH DI DESA RUBIA KECAMATAN AERE KABUPATEN KOLAKA TIMUR

Abstract

Improving lowland rice productivity remains a major priority in Indonesia's agricultural development and is strongly influenced by the effectiveness of agricultural extension services as a mechanism for technology transfer, farmer capacity building, and behavioral change in farm management. The success of extension activities depends not only on the quality of the information delivered but also on the extension approaches employed to establish effective communication and interaction with farmers. This study aimed to analyze the agricultural extension approaches used to improve lowland rice productivity in Rubia Village, Aere District, East Kolaka Regency, Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed. Informants were selected using purposive sampling and consisted of 14 participants, including one agricultural extension officer, one farmer group leader, and twelve lowland rice farmers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, comprising data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings revealed that agricultural extension activities in the study area implemented three complementary approaches: participatory, digital, and partnership-based approaches. The participatory approach was the most dominant, involving farmer field schools, demonstration plots, group discussions, and deliberative meetings that encouraged farmers' active participation throughout the learning process. The digital approach was implemented through social media, particularly WhatsApp, and video-based learning media, facilitating rapid dissemination of agricultural information and improving farmers' access to cultivation innovations. Meanwhile, the partnership-based approach was realized through collaboration among farmers, farmer groups, agricultural extension officers, village cooperatives, and the local Agricultural Office in providing agricultural information, technical assistance, and production inputs. The integration of these three approaches enhanced the effectiveness of extension communication, strengthened farmers' capacity to adopt agricultural innovations, increased participation in extension activities, and ultimately supported improvements in lowland rice productivity. These findings indicate that adaptive, participatory, collaborative, and digitally supported extension approaches constitute an effective strategy for strengthening agricultural extension services, promoting sustainable productivity improvement, and enhancing the institutional capacity of farmers at the local level.