Peran Penyuluh Pertanian Dalam Pengembangan Kelompok Tani Menurut Persepsi Petani Di Desa Gempolan, Kecamatan Sei Bamban, Kabupaten Serdang Berdagai

Abstract

Farmer groups are one of the important pillars of agricultural sector development in rural areas. However, their role is often hindered by low member participation and the suboptimal role of agricultural extension officers. This study aims to examine farmers' perceptions of the role of agricultural extension officers in the development of farmer groups in Gempolan Village, Sei Bamban Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai District. The extension roles analyzed include facilitator, innovator, motivator, dynamizer, and educator. The method used in this study is quantitative descriptive with the application of the Likert Scale analysis technique. Data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires to 43 respondents who are members of farmers' groups, selected from a total population of 1,096 people using the Slovin formula. The analysis results indicate that the majority of farmers have a positive view of the presence of agricultural extension officers in five main aspects: as facilitators (58.14%), innovators (58,14%), motivators (60.46%), dynamizers (55.81%), and educators (53,48%). Among these five roles, the role of extension workers as motivators received the highest rating from respondents. This finding indicates that the role of extension workers is active and targeted toward improving farmer groups. This study concludes that the role of agricultural extension workers is very important in supporting the development of farmer groups, and sustained efforts are needed from extension workers and village governments to improve farmer groups in the region.