Article
PERAN PENYULUH PERTANIAN DALAM MENDUKUNG KINERJA USAHATANI NILAM DI DESA WOWALATOMA KECAMATAN LATOMA KABUPATEN KONAWE
Jurnal Ilmiah Penyuluhan dan Pengembangan Masyarakat, Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026), hlm. 298–306
Abstrak
Patchouli farming has considerable economic potential to support farmers’ livelihoods; however, its management continues to face various challenges, particularly in the application of cultivation technologies, production achievement, product quality, and the timeliness of farming activities. Under these conditions, agricultural extension workers play a strategic role in supporting farmers’ capacity development through their functions as facilitators, educators, motivators, and innovators. This study aimed to describe the role of agricultural extension workers in supporting patchouli farming performance in Wowalatoma Village, Latoma District, Konawe Regency. The study employed a quantitative approach. The study population consisted of 132 patchouli farmers, from which 57 respondents were selected using the Slovin formula and simple random sampling technique. The research variable was the role of agricultural extension workers, comprising the dimensions of facilitator, educator, motivator, and innovator. Data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative analysis based on class intervals. The results showed that the overall role of agricultural extension workers was categorized as moderate, as indicated by 68.4% of respondents, while 28.1% rated their role as good and 3.5% as poor. The roles of extension workers as facilitators, educators, motivators, and innovators had been implemented, but remained suboptimal, particularly in facilitating access to production inputs, market information, financial resources, and the introduction and provision of assistance in adopting technological innovations for patchouli cultivation. The presence of agricultural extension workers plays an important role in supporting patchouli farming management; however, the intensity and quality of extension assistance need to be strengthened. Enhancing the capacity of extension workers, particularly in resource facilitation, technical education, farmer motivation, and innovation support, is necessary to ensure that extension services are more responsive to farmers’ needs and contribute to the sustainable improvement of patchouli farming performance.