Analisis Kinerja dan Strategi Peningkatan Kinerja Penyuluh Pertanian di Kabupaten Padang Lawas Utara

Abstract

Agricultural extension workers as the spearhead and of development in agricultural must be active in providing counseling so that the optimal performance of extension workers is felt by farmers. The performance of agricultural extension agents has a major impact on the performance of farmers in increasing agricultural production. The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of agricultural extension workers in North Padang Lawas Regency and determine the right strategy to improve the performance of extension agents. Sampling was carried out by means of a census of all agricultural extension agents in North Padang Lawas Regency as many as 111 respondents. The analytical method used is descriptive qualitative on the value of work performance and SWOT analysis. The results showed that the performance of agricultural extension workers in North Padang Lawas Regency was in the “adequate” category, which means it was normal with the value of the extension activity indicator being 73,13 and the average work performance of the extension worker being 71,88. Based on the data collected and the results of the SWOT analysis, the strategy for improving the performance of extensionworkers in North Padang Lawas Regency is to apply the Strengths Threats (ST) strategy, namely: 1) improving extension facilities and infrastructure; 2) providing rewards and punishments for extension workers; 3) increasing the intensity of counseling through demonstration plot; and 4) improvement of information technology, especially online-based.