The Role of Extension Workerss in the Development of Agriculture

Information Network through Cyber Extension in Lampung Province

Dame Trully Gultom

and Sumaryo Gitosaputro

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung

Keywords: The role of cyber extension, information network, cyber extension

Abstract: Mechanism of development of information network system of agricultural development through cyber

extension need to be developed by extension workers so that farmer requirement of agriculture information

can be fulfilled. This study aims to analyze (1) the role of extension workers involvement in agriculture

development information network system through cyber extension, (2) Factors related to extension workers

involvement in information network system of agricultural development through cyber extension. The

research was conducted in areas with potential to develop food crops and horticulture, namely in South

Lampung District and Metro District. The study was conducted in four sub-districts and eight villages. The

research was conducted by census, all of the extension workers which have the target area in Jati Agung Sub

District, Natar Sub District, Metro South Sub District and West Metro District. The number of respondents

are 44 people. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially by Mann Whitney's different test and Rank

Spearman correlation test. The results of the research show (1) The involvement of extension workers in

agricultural information network system through cyber extension is characterized by different age, extension

workers income, and the use of cyber extension between extension workers which is civil servant and

extension workers which is still honour, (2) Factors related to the involvement of extension workers in

information systems of agricultural development through cyber extension are age, extension workers income,

motivation, level of cosmopoli and extension workers performance.

1 INTRODUCTION

The agricultural development approach that has so far

relied on increased production and productivity, is

instructional, static, mechanical, and linear, makes

farmers as tools for implementing government

policies. This approach does not make independent

farmers run their farms, even tends to be static.

Therefore, we need an approach. One approach to

agricultural development that can now be done is with

a mechanism that supports the development of

information systems for agricultural development.

This needs to be done to ensure that indicators of

success of extension are measured by the

dissemination of information on agricultural

technology equally (Badan Koordinasi Penyuluhan

Pertanian, Perikanan, dan Kehutanan Provinsi

Lampung, 2012). The process of decimating

information on agricultural technology can be

accelerated with the use of Information and

Communication Technology (ICT).

Agriculture sector in Lampung Province should

be developed by considering challenges in economy

globalization era such as AFTA (Asean Free Trade

Area) and APEC (Asia Pacific Economic

Cooperation). In line with this, Indonesia position

information and communication technology (ICT) as

one of main focuses in science and technology

development.

Communication and information technology

(ICT) development provides wide opportunities for

farmers to obtain real time agricultural information

according to their needs.Cyber is a new media in the

form of various communication technologies that

share the same characteristics. Cyber is also possible

with digitalization and its wide availability for

personal use as a communication tool. New media is

very diverse and not easily defined, but in its

application new media enter the realm of mass

communication or directly and indirectly have an

impact on "traditional" mass media. The main focus

Gultom, D. and Gitosaputro, S.

The Role of Extension Workerss in the Development of Agriculture Information Network through Cyber Extension in Lampung Province.

DOI: 10.5220/0009940321592165

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Recent Innovations (ICRI 2018), pages 2159-2165

ISBN: 978-989-758-458-9

2159

of attention is on collective collective activities called

the internet.

The meeting point between one’s need and

information obtained from media can be explained

with the theory of Uses and Gratification. This theory

suggests that active people choose and use a

particular media to fulfill a particular need.

Horticulture farmers see the internet as a tool to fulfil

needs of agricultural information. Internet has limited

influences because the horticulture farmers are able to

select and control it. This Use and Gratification

theory focuses on a question of: what does one do

with the media?. This theory provides a working

frame to fulfil when and how horticulture farmers will

be more or less active in searching agricultural

information (Yagane et all., 2011).

Extension worker behaviors in using information

sources based in information and communication

technology (ICT) in rural areas are so much required,

because rural areas have rights to enjoy accessing

facilities and using information through ICT. The

existence of internet used to save, process and access

information can affect agricultural information

necessity fulfilment which is able to cause changes in

many life aspects.

ICT roles are required in agricultural sectors to

improve agricultural business productivity. Farmers

need varying agricultural information such as

government policies, research results from multi

discipline sciences, experiencers of other farmers,

current information about market prospects related to

production equipment and agricultural products. ICT

use can overcome lack of information access about

agricultural innovations used to be obtained from

conventional information sources. Using ICT can

replace some of conventional communication forms.

Agricultural extension agents as a bridge between

agricultural information sources and information

users are required to be always ready to know and

apply information on agricultural technology and

innovation. The readiness of extension workerss in

accessing and implementing information on

agricultural technologies and innovations strongly

supports agricultural development in the region

which will have an impact on improving the welfare

of farmers. The mechanism of the extension system

based on Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) called cyber extension needs to be

improved by exension workerss to solve one of the

information gap problems felt by farmers.

Although cyber extension has a very important

role to increase the capacity of farmers, but until now

farmers have not fully utilized cyber extensions to

find agricultural information. The results of Gultom

and Sumaryo's research (2017) concluded that cyber

extensions are needed by both farmers and PPL in

carrying out their farming, but the use of ICT-based

information sources is still limited and their

management is still individual. The ability of farmers

to collect, process and utilize agricultural information

is very limited, so it needs to be done in groups so that

farmers are motivated and mutually reinforcing in

processing information. However, there is no

institutional farmer that has the function to increase

the use of cyber extensions in Lampung Province.

Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of

agricultural information networks in the

implementation of food crops and horticulture

through the farmers' internet group. The

dissemination of agricultural information through an

information network system can help find human

resources that have the potential to develop cyber

extensions.

The role of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) is indispensable in the agricultural

sector to increase the productivity of farming

produced. Indonesia places ICT as one of the main

focuses of the development of science and

technology. The development of ICT provides a great

opportunity for farmers to be able to obtain

agricultural information on time and in accordance

with their needs. Farmers need a variety of

information in the field of agriculture to manage their

farms, such as: government policies, research results

from various disciplines, experience of other farmers,

as well as up-to-date information on market prospects

related to production facilities and agricultural

products. They can get these sources of information

by accessing the internet. Farmers can get various

information about agriculture by accessing the

internet. Farmers can also find the latest information

about international market prospects related to

agricultural products and production facilities.

Utilization of ICTs can overcome the problem of lack

of access to information about agricultural

innovation. ICT in agriculture can prepare

agricultural information needed by farmers on time

and as needed.

Fulfillment of agricultural information needs is

still dominated by face to face communication. This

communication approach has a limited nature,

requires a lot of time and cost (Saleh 2006; Tamba

2007; Ardu 2007). To overcome this, all ICT-based

agricultural information sources are used, especially

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the internet. The presence of the internet has had a

significant impact on human life (Arja and Seppanen

2014; Vivek 2011; Sian et al. 2014; Shana and

Holmer 2015).

The fulfillment of information needs from

research shows that the development of ICT in Asia

has led to various changes in various fields such as

industry, religion, organization and work, all of which

have an impact on social change between

interpersonal relationships (Alampay 2009). Arja and

Seppanen's research (2014) say information

technology can be used to create and regulate life in

remote areas. Most farmers in remote areas use

computers to find information, online banking,

communication with family, friends and relatives.

The use of information technology can replace some

forms of traditional communication that have been

done before, and can cause a person to leave the

community if they do not use the technology. The use

of information technology is closely related to age.

The results of research in West Java so far, the

ability of extension workers to share agricultural

information through cyber extensions is very diverse

and highly dependent on extension agents (Sumandjo,

et al, 2010), Darojad P (2016), Helmi Z (2013).

Lampung Province has a demographic and farming

system similar to West Java Province, but there has

not been much study on the use of ICT by extension

workerss in carrying out their functions and duties as

a bridge connecting information technology and

agricultural innovation. Therefore it is interesting to

do research to analyse:

(1) Performance of extension workerss

involvement in agricultural development

information network systems through cyber

extension,

(2) Factors related to the involvement of

extension workerss in the agricultural

development information network system

through cyber extension.

2 RESEARCH METHODS

This study uses quantitative research methods

(Sugiyono, 2013). Data collection were carried out

with census method using questionnaires. The study

was conducted in South Lampung Regency and

Metro Municipality. Background on the location of

research based on the potential for developing food

crops and horticulture. South Lampung Regency is

represented by JatiAgung District and Natar District.

Metro Municipality is represented by Metro Selatan

Subdistrict and Metro Barat District. From sub-

district is taken by two villages. (Table 1)

Table 1. Research area data

No Distrik Sub Distrik Village

1. South Lampung Natar Pancasila

Krawang Sari

JatiAgung Marga Agung

Marga Karya

2. Kotamadya Metro Metro

Barat

Mulyosari

Ganjar Agung

Metro

Selatan

Rejomulyo

Sumber Sari

The population and sample of the study were all

extension workers that met the target area in the

study . The data used in this study are primary data

and secondary data. Primary data collection is done

through:

1. Interview using a questionnaire. Questionnaires

were prepared based on a number of questions

related to research variables. Questions have

closed and open answers. The questionnaire has

an ordinal and ratio scale. Data that has an

ordinal scale measurement will be transformed

to an interval or ratio scale for the benefit of

testing statistical data (Riduwan and Akdon

2007).

2. In-depth interviews (in-depth interviews) are

more detailed questions and answers to farmers

and stakeholders related to the dissemination of

agricultural information about variables and

other matters related to research. In-depth

interviews use questionnaires and aim to

strengthen and deepen the results of interviews.

3. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) or focus group

discussion is a discussion conducted to obtain

data or group views about issues related to

research. In this FGD, everyone is given the

freedom to express their opinions and thoughts

about the material being discussed.

4. Observation is direct observation by researchers

on the daily lives of farmers, especially those

related to the process of meeting the needs of

agricultural information

Data were analyzed descriptively and

inferentially. Ridwan and Akdon (2007) said that for

the sake of data analysis, the data that have ordinal

scale measurements are transformed into an interval

scale with the Method of Succesive Interval (MSI).

Inferential data analysis is done by using Mann

The Role of Extension Workerss in the Development of Agriculture Information Network through Cyber Extension in Lampung Province

2161

Whitney test and Rank Spearman correlation test

(Dahlan, 2008).

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Food crops (rice, corn and cassava) and horticulture

(chilli and onion) have the potential in the

development research area both in terms of land area

and production. Based on the results of the search for

secondary data it was found that the harvested area of

vegetables in this case is the largest chilli in South

Lampung Regency. The sub-district that has the

potential to develop chillies and have a good internet

network is Natar District, namely Pancasila Village.

Besides that, South Lampung Regency, namely Jati

Agung Subdistrict, has a wide corn harvest area and

has a good network to develop the internet.

Based on Law No. 43, the existence of counseling

is under the service of the agriculture department,

respectively. The extension agent as functional staff

returns to the existing service office. The Agricultural

Extension Human Resources Development Agency

(BPSDMPP) has the task of updating data. There are

those who are in charge of agricultural facilities and

infrastructure that supervise the section section

including the extension section

Changes to the BP4K status previously at the

district level, now the situation is far different. Cyber

responsibility is currently in the field of infrastructure

and extension facilities which are functional

positions. In each sub-district there is the Head of the

Agricultural Extension Unit that functions to run the

Information and Management System consisting of:

1. 1.Simluhtan where the institutional database of

extension from the district to the farmer group.

In this section we can find data on counseling at

the sub-district to district level.

2. Cyber which contains information, technology

and several forms of profiles

At the sub-district level there are operators and

administrations consisting of extension agents and

non-extension agents.

The agricultural sector plays a high role in the

research area. This is indicated by the large

percentage of land use (> 60%) used for agricultural

businesses. Another thing is the large percentage of

the population working in agriculture (> 80%). The

research area is located relatively close to the

provincial capital and has a good information and

communication network. Various

telecommunications networks have been running

well and are equipped with adequate facilities and

infrastructure.

3.1 General Situation of Respondents

Respondents are extension workers who have

working areas in the study area and are classified

asextension workers who are civil servants or who are

still honorarium. Extension workerss who are still in

the honorarium are quite a lot in Jati Agung

Subdistrict and Metro Selatan District. Education

level of extension workerss is high. This has the

potential to develop methods for using ICT in

agriculture. Figure 1 shows the level of education of

extension workerss who are civil servants is greater

than extension workerss who are still THL in Jati

Agung Subdistrict and Metro Selatan Subdistrict..

Whereas in Natar District and Metro Barat Subdistrict

extension workerss extension workerss which are still

THL have a higher level of education compared to

extension workers who are civil servants.

Figure 1. Data on the average level of education of

respondents per district.

When viewed in terms of age, the temporary

extension workers (THL) is on average younger than

extension workers who are civil servants (Figure 2)

Figure 2 shows that in terms of age, extension

workerss who have the THL status still have the

potential to develop their ability to use ICT-based

information sources. This is consistent with the

results of Dame et al (2016) in Lampung Province

which says that the use of cyber extension is mostly

done by young farmers.

PNS

THL

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Figure 2. Data on average age of respondents (years) per

district

Figure 2 shows that the extension workers who are

civil servants have an older age than the Honor Field

Extension Officers. This affects the use of cyber

extensions. Agricultural extension workers who are

still young tend to use cyber more in search of

information related to agriculture. This happens

because they have a strong desire to try something

new.

The research results show that information

sources from ICT have commonly been used by

younger farmers. The wider the width of field

cultivated by the farmer, the bigger agricultural

information is needed, so that the farmer will look for

needed information from inside and outside of his/her

village and this makes his/her cosmopolitan level to

be higher (Gultom, 2016).

3.2 Use of ICT-based Information

Sources by Extension Workers

As a bridge between agricultural information sources

and farmers, the extension expected to equip it self

with the latest information and is useful for the

survival of extension workers farmers. The rapid

development of information can actually help carry

out its duties properly, provided that extension

workers is ready and able to use all available sources

of information. The ability to use this information

source is closely related to internal and external

factors of extension workers.

Based on the results of the focus group discussion,

information was obtained that there were no farmer

groups or Gapoktan who already had their own webb.

Stake holders in the research area expect cyber

available at the village level. The existence of cyber

at the village level can expose activities in the area.

The material presented is expected to be local

specific. The results of the discussion also showed

that most PPL did not like writing, so it was rarely

found the PPL results. Even though PPL which has

the potential to write gets the money to buy credit and

intensive that can be used for promotion.

Cyber existence is currently very much needed

considering the obligation of farmer groups and

Gapoktan to fill the Definitive Plan of Group Needs

online. The needs of farmers for inputs must be

poured in on line. The results of the discussion also

showed that to get farmers to access the internet in

search of agricultural information, it was not easy

because the facilities were very limited.

The results showed that the use of ICT-based

information sources by extension workerss was

classified as medium. Most extension workerss use

mobile phones and computers to search for

agricultural information, but their use is not intensive

because they are still using personal equipment and

sometimes hampered due to limited funds in buying

credit. The equipment owned by the office is still very

limited as well as the network.

The results of the study showed that there were no

differences in the use of ICT-based information

sources between extension workerss who had been

civil servants and those with honorarium (THL).

Table 3 lists the results of different tests Mann

Whitney uses ICT-based agricultural information

source that show the diffrences of some variabels

between that the extension workers who are civil

servants have an older age than the honor Extension

workers (THL).

This difference occurs because of the individual

characteristics of each agricultural instructor such as

motivation and desire to improve life. Differences can

also be caused by external factors that exist from

extension agents such as family support, institutional

support and others.

Someone’s behavior in doing communication

activities comes up because of a motivation coming

from inside of this individual in doing an action

through interaction with environment according to

his/her want. [18] says that some of communication

behaviors from individuals are overtly seen (overt

behavior) and some others are covertly seen (covert

behavior). The work of [18] suggest that the

relationship between farmers’ characteristics and

agricultural business competences are highly

connected, but aspects of knowledge, attitude, and

skill are independent in assessing many fields in

agribusiness.

PNS

THL

The Role of Extension Workerss in the Development of Agriculture Information Network through Cyber Extension in Lampung Province

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Table 3. Significance value of different test Mann Whitney

on several variables of research

No Variable research Significance Value

1 The use of cyber

extension

0,031**

1 Age 0,000**

2 Level of formal

education

0,085*

3 Revenue from

extension workers

0,000**

4 Monthly income 0,588

5 Motivation 1,00

6 Cosmopolitan 0,732

7 Perception of

cyber extension

0,664

8 Extension workers

Performance

0,503

Table 3 shows Mann Whitney's different test

significance values for age variables, extension

workers income and cyber extension use are less than

five percent and for education level variable is less

than ten percent. This means that there are differences

in age, income of extension workers and the use of

cyber extensions between extension workers who are

civil servants and extension workers who are still

THL. Other research variables show no difference.

Descriptive analysis obtained the use of ICT-based

information sources by extension workers who still

THL are higher than those who are civil servants.

This situation indicates one good strategy in

increasing the use of ICT-based information sources

is at a young age.

3.4. Factors Related to the Use of

ICT-based Information Sources

Analyzing the factors related to the use of ICT-

based agricultural information sources can be the

entry point for the policy of developing ICT-based

agricultural information sources. Table 4 contains the

Rank Spearman significance value of the factors

related to the use of ICT-based information sources.

Table 4: Rank Spearman's significance value factors

related to the use of cyber extension information sources

No Variable research Significant Value

1 Age 0,013**

2 Level of formal education 0,217

3 Revenue from extension

workers

0,023*

4 Monthly income 0,76

5 Motivation 0,061*

6 Cosmopolitan 0,029**

7 Perception of cyber extension 0,975

8 Extension workers performance 0,029**

Table 4 shows Rank Spearman's significance

values for age variables, income from extension

workers, motivation, cosmopolitan and extension

workers performance are smaller than five percent.

This means that the factors related to the use of cyber

extension information sources are age, income of

extension workers, motivation, cosmopolitan and

extension workers performance.

The older a person, the lower the ability is to use

cyber extension information sources. Some research

results also show such things. The greater a person's

income from his position, causing a person to feel

valued in their abilities, so that they have the

awareness to have good performance. This is also the

case with cosmopolitanism. Someone who has high

mobility in seeking information, tends to realize that

the enormity of information can be accessed and

affect its performance. Extension workers as that

often come out of their target areas to seek

information will have a tendency to continue to

explore information through all information sources

including ICT-based information sources. The high

motivation of extension workers to carry out their job

duties will cause extension workers to also use ICT-

based information sources. This correlation analysis

can be used as one of the reasons for developing cyber

extensions in Lampung Province.

4 CONCLUSIONS AND

SUGGESTIONS

4.1 Conclusions

(1) The performance of extension workers

involvement in the information system of

agricultural development through cyber

extension is characterized by differences in age,

income from PPL, and the use of cyber

extensions between petugas who are civil

servants and extension workers who are still

THL. There is no difference in the level of

education, motivation, level of cosmopolitan,

perception of ICT-based information sources

between who are civil servants and who are still

THL.

(2) Factors associated with extension workers

involvement in the development of agriculture

information extension workers work system

through extension cyber age, income from

extension workers, motivation, and

performance extension workers.

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4.2 Suggestions

Considering the very strategic role of extension

workers as one of the sources of information for

technology and innovation users, it is necessary to

develop extension workers knowledge and ability in

developing ICT-based information source functions.

This effort can be done by enriching and mentoring

extension workers through the ICT-based

Information Sources Literacy Program.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank all those who have

contributed to the implementation of this research and

the publication of the results of this study. In

particular the awards were presented to:

1. Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher

Education of the Republic of Indonesia for the

provision of research funds through the

Technology Application Research Scheme.

2. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung,

with permission and financial assistance

provided in carrying out The Second Bogor

International Conference of Social Science

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