KOMPETENSI PETANI NILAM DALAM UPAYA MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS TANAMAN NILAM DI DESA MERONGGA JAYA KECAMATAN LALEMBU KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

Abstrak

Improving patchouli productivity is determined not only by the adoption of appropriate cultivation technologies but also by the competencies of farmers as the primary actors in farm management. Farmers’ competencies, encompassing technical, managerial, and social dimensions, play a crucial role in supporting cultivation success, enhancing farm management efficiency, and strengthening farmers’ capacity to adapt to the dynamic agricultural environment. This study aimed to analyze the competencies of patchouli farmers in improving patchouli productivity in Merongga Jaya Village, Lalembu District, South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. A quantitative survey approach was employed in this study. The research population consisted of 105 patchouli farmers, from which 51 respondents were selected using the Slovin formula with a 10% margin of error. Primary data were collected through structured interviews using questionnaires, field observations, and documentation, and were analyzed using descriptive quantitative methods based on a Likert scale and class interval analysis. The findings revealed that the overall competency level of patchouli farmers was categorized as good. In terms of technical competency, most farmers had appropriately implemented land preparation, seedling selection, crop maintenance, and harvesting practices, although fertilizer management remained an aspect requiring further improvement. Managerial competency was also categorized as good, particularly in farm planning, capital management, and farm evaluation; however, farm record-keeping and marketing management were comparatively less developed. Social competency achieved the highest performance among the three competency dimensions, as reflected by farmers’ active participation in farmer groups, strong cooperation, effective communication, and intensive information exchange. The findings indicate that improved patchouli productivity results from the synergy of technical, managerial, and social competencies. Social competency facilitates learning processes and innovation diffusion, technical competency supports the adoption of recommended cultivation practices, while managerial competency enhances the efficiency of farm management. Therefore, strengthening farmers’ competencies through agricultural extension services, training programs, continuous mentoring, and the reinforcement of farmer institutions constitutes a strategic approach to improving the productivity and sustainability of patchouli farming.

Kata kunci

• Farm Management
• Social Capital
• agricultural extension
• human resource capacity