Continuation of Agricultural Extension Programs

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 136 views

The Effect of Agricultural Counseling on Rice Productivity (Oryza sativa L.) in Visuruh Village, Dolok Masihul District, Serdang Bedagai Regency

Introduction

Agricultural counseling plays a vital role in enhancing the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in various regions. The implementation of agricultural extension programs has been a crucial factor in improving the technical knowledge of farmers, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase their productivity. This study aims to evaluate the effect of agricultural counseling on rice productivity in Visuruh Village, Dolok Masihul District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. The research was guided by Mr. Ir. Sinar Indra Kesuma, M.Sc as Chairman of the Supervising Commission, and Mrs. Siti Khadijah H. Nasution, SP, M.Sc as a member of the Supervising Commission.

Characteristics of Respondents

The study involved 52 respondents who were selected using the simple random sampling method. The results showed that most respondents were in the age group 51-55 years, reaching 37%. In terms of education, 37% of respondents have the latest education at the elementary level. In addition, the long-ended time is found in the group 21-25 years, with a percentage of 35%. This data provides a fairly clear picture of the demographics of farmers in the Visuruh Village and its relevance to the acceptance of agricultural extension.

Agricultural Counseling Implementation

Implementation of agricultural extension programs in the villages of Visuruh is classified in a good category. This shows that the efforts of the government and related parties in providing information and training to farmers have been running effectively. Counseling activities carried out include various aspects, ranging from farming techniques, pest management, to the use of appropriate fertilizer. The implementation of agricultural extension programs has been a crucial factor in improving the technical knowledge of farmers, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase their productivity.

Analysis of the Effect of Counseling on Productivity

The analysis shows that the educational factor, the length of time, the extension program, and the competency of the instructor have a significant influence on rice productivity. Simultaneously, these four factors contribute significantly in increasing the production of lowland rice in the Visuruh Village. Higher education often correlates with a better understanding of modern agricultural practices, while old experiences make farmers to apply the knowledge gained from counseling effectively. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of agricultural extension programs has a positive impact on rice productivity.

Benefits of Agricultural Counseling

The agricultural extension program provides many benefits, including increasing farmers' technical knowledge about how to farm well and correctly. With better education, farmers are expected to be able to utilize modern technology in agriculture, which in turn will increase the productivity and quality of agricultural products. This is important not only to increase farmers' income but also to support food security at the local level. The implementation of agricultural extension programs has been a crucial factor in improving the technical knowledge of farmers, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase their productivity.

Conclusion

From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the agricultural extension program plays an important role in increasing the productivity of lowland rice in the village of Visuruh, Dolok Masihul District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. By increasing the competence and knowledge of farmers through counseling, it can be expected that agricultural productivity in this area will continue to increase, which in turn will have a positive impact on the economy of the local community.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Continuation of Agricultural Extension Programs: The government and related parties should continue to implement agricultural extension programs in the Visuruh Village to improve the technical knowledge of farmers and increase their productivity.
Improvement of Educational Facilities: The government should improve the educational facilities in the Visuruh Village to provide better education to farmers and enable them to adopt modern agricultural practices.
Training and Capacity Building: The government and related parties should provide training and capacity building programs for farmers to improve their technical knowledge and skills in agriculture.
Extension of Agricultural Counseling: The government and related parties should extend the agricultural counseling services to more farmers in the Visuruh Village to improve their technical knowledge and increase their productivity.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The study involved a small sample size of 52 respondents, which may not be representative of the entire population of farmers in the Visuruh Village.
Limited Data Collection: The study relied on secondary data collection, which may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.
Limited Analysis: The study only analyzed the effect of agricultural counseling on rice productivity and did not consider other factors that may influence productivity.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Longitudinal Study: A longitudinal study should be conducted to examine the effect of agricultural counseling on rice productivity over a longer period.
Comparative Study: A comparative study should be conducted to compare the effect of agricultural counseling on rice productivity in different regions or villages.
In-Depth Analysis: An in-depth analysis should be conducted to examine the factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural counseling in improving rice productivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that agricultural counseling plays a vital role in enhancing the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Visuruh Village, Dolok Masihul District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. The implementation of agricultural extension programs has been a crucial factor in improving the technical knowledge of farmers, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural practices and increase their productivity. The study recommends the continuation of agricultural extension programs, improvement of educational facilities, training and capacity building programs, and extension of agricultural counseling services to more farmers in the Visuruh Village.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Agricultural Counseling and Rice Productivity

Q: What is agricultural counseling?

A: Agricultural counseling is a process of providing information, guidance, and support to farmers to improve their technical knowledge and skills in agriculture. It aims to enhance the productivity and quality of agricultural products.

Q: What is the role of agricultural counseling in improving rice productivity?

A: Agricultural counseling plays a vital role in improving rice productivity by providing farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt modern agricultural practices. It helps farmers to understand the importance of crop management, soil fertility, and pest management, which are essential for increasing rice productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of agricultural counseling for farmers?

A: The benefits of agricultural counseling for farmers include:

Improved technical knowledge and skills in agriculture
Increased productivity and quality of agricultural products
Better understanding of modern agricultural practices
Improved crop management and soil fertility
Reduced pest and disease management costs
Increased income and improved livelihoods

Q: How can farmers access agricultural counseling services?

A: Farmers can access agricultural counseling services through various channels, including:

Government extension services
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Private sector companies
Community-based organizations
Online platforms and mobile apps

Q: What are the key factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural counseling?

A: The key factors that influence the effectiveness of agricultural counseling include:

Quality of counseling services
Availability of counseling services
Accessibility of counseling services
Relevance of counseling services to farmers' needs
Farmers' willingness to adopt new technologies and practices

Q: How can farmers evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural counseling?

A: Farmers can evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural counseling by:

Monitoring their productivity and income
Assessing their knowledge and skills in agriculture
Evaluating the impact of counseling on their crop management and soil fertility
Identifying areas for improvement in counseling services

Q: What are the challenges faced by farmers in accessing agricultural counseling services?

A: The challenges faced by farmers in accessing agricultural counseling services include:

Limited availability of counseling services
Limited accessibility of counseling services
Limited quality of counseling services
Limited relevance of counseling services to farmers' needs
Limited farmers' willingness to adopt new technologies and practices

Q: How can governments and organizations support farmers in accessing agricultural counseling services?

A: Governments and organizations can support farmers in accessing agricultural counseling services by:

Increasing the availability and accessibility of counseling services
Improving the quality of counseling services
Making counseling services more relevant to farmers' needs
Providing training and capacity building programs for farmers
Promoting the use of technology and mobile apps for counseling services

Q: What is the future of agricultural counseling?

A: The future of agricultural counseling is promising, with the increasing use of technology and mobile apps to provide counseling services to farmers. Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the importance of agricultural counseling in improving productivity and income of farmers.