Keberadaan Kelompok Tani Kentang (Solanum Tuberosum) dalam Menghadapi Perubahan Iklim pada Masyarakat Batak Toba di Hariara Pintu Kabupaten Samosir

Abstract

Climate change has a negative impact on the agricultural sector, which is a vital part of Indonesia's economy as an agrarian country. This impact can potentially reduce agricultural product productivity, which can disrupt national food security. One of the strategies farmers use to adapt to climate change is through existing farmer groups. This study aims to evaluate the influence of potato (Solanum tuberosum) farmer groups in improving farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change. This research utilizes the Mix Methods Research method, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand comprehensively. This mixed method allows for more in-depth analysis by integrating data from both approaches. Primary and secondary data collection was conducted. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between the existence of farmer groups and farmers' adaptation to climate change. In other words, this study accepts the null hypothesis (H0) and rejects the alternative hypothesis (H1). This finding indicates that farmer groups in Hariarapintu village have not optimally improved farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change. Some factors contributing to the less-than-optimal functioning of farmer groups include the unsuitability of the adaptation strategies applied, lack of adequate external support, and limited knowledge and technology among farmers. Overall, this study concludes that although farmer groups have great potential to help farmers adapt to climate change, barriers reduce their effectiveness. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve adaptation strategies external support, and increase knowledge and technology to strengthen the role of farmer groups in dealing with climate change.