Article
FUNGSI KELEMBAGAAN KELOMPOK TANI DALAM MENDUKUNG BUDIDAYA PADI SAWAH: STUDI KUALITATIF DI DESA IWOIMEA JAYA KECAMATAN AERE KABUPATEN KOLAKA TIMUR
Jurnal Ilmiah Penyuluhan dan Pengembangan Masyarakat, Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026), hlm. 234–250
Abstrak
Farmer groups are farmer-based institutions that play a strategic role in supporting agricultural development by enhancing farmers’ capacity, strengthening cooperation, and promoting collective farm management. The success of lowland rice cultivation is determined not only by the adoption of agricultural technologies but also by the effectiveness of farmer group institutional functions in facilitating learning, coordination, and production management. This study aimed to analyze the institutional functions of farmer groups in supporting lowland rice cultivation in Iwoimea Jaya Village, Aere District, East Kolaka Regency, Indonesia. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed. The study involved 13 purposively selected informants, consisting of ten farmer group leaders, one agricultural extension officer, and two active farmer group members. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, which includes data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that farmer groups have effectively performed their three primary institutional functions. As learning classes, farmer groups enhanced farmers’ knowledge and skills through the dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), the introduction of agricultural technologies, and assistance in preparing the Definitive Group Needs Plan (Rencana Definitif Kebutuhan Kelompok). As cooperation forums, they improved farmers’ access to subsidized fertilizers, facilitated the collective use of agricultural machinery, and promoted information exchange regarding paddy prices, although rice marketing remained predominantly individual rather than collective. As production units, farmer groups coordinated planting schedules, optimized the utilization of production inputs, and implemented integrated crop management, thereby improving the efficiency of lowland rice farming practices. Nevertheless, several constraints remain, including limited quotas of subsidized fertilizers, the low adoption of modern agricultural technologies due to financial limitations, and the underdeveloped practice of collective marketing. Strengthening the institutional functions of farmer groups should therefore focus on enhancing organizational capacity, expanding access to agricultural innovations, and developing farmers’ economic institutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of lowland rice farming.