POLA KOMUNIKASI DAN PEMANFAATAN SUMBER INFORMASI PETANI DALAM PENGENDALIAN PENYAKIT BUSUK BATANG PADA USAHATANI JAGUNG DI DESA WATUMEETO KECAMATAN LAINEA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

Abstrak

Communication and the utilization of information sources play a crucial role in enhancing farmers' capacity to manage crop diseases through knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and informed decision-making. The advancement of information technology has expanded farmers' access to diverse information sources; however, the effectiveness of disease management remains strongly influenced by the communication patterns developed within farming communities. This study aimed to describe farmers' communication patterns and the utilization of information sources in managing stalk rot disease in maize farming in Watumeeto Village, Lainea District, South Konawe Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive method. Informants were selected purposively and further identified through the snowball sampling technique, consisting of maize farmers, farmer group leaders, and agricultural extension officers. The research focused on farmers' communication patterns and their utilization of information sources in the management of maize stalk rot disease. Data were collected through non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using an interactive analysis process consisting of data condensation, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification. The findings revealed that farmers' communication occurred through one-way, two-way, and multi-way communication patterns. One-way communication was facilitated through digital media, including YouTube, Google, WhatsApp, and TikTok, which served as initial sources of information on stalk rot disease management but did not provide direct feedback. Two-way communication developed through interactions between farmers, fellow farmers, and farmer group leaders, enabling dialogue, clarification, and the exchange of experiences. Meanwhile, multi-way communication occurred within farmer group activities, promoting participatory discussions, collaborative learning, and collective decision-making. Regarding the utilization of information sources, farmer groups and fellow farmers emerged as the most dominant sources due to their high level of credibility and practical field-based experience. Social media functioned as a complementary information source that broadened farmers' access to knowledge, whereas the role of agricultural extension officers remained suboptimal because of limited extension intensity and extensive service coverage. The integration of interpersonal communication, group communication, and digital media strengthened farmers' learning process in managing maize stalk rot disease, with farmer groups and fellow farmers serving as the primary information sources supporting farm-level decision-making.

Kata kunci

• Agricultural Communication
• Farmer Groups
• agricultural extension
• digital media