Peran Penyuluh Pertanian dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Produksi Padi Sawah di Distrik Mariat Kabupaten Sorong

Abstract Agricultural extension workers have an important role in the development of Indonesian agriculture because they are agents of change and are the spearheads who are directly related to farmers. In this case, agricultural extension workers are needed to help the success of production and solve problems faced by farmers in carrying out their farming activities. The objectives of the study were (1) To identify the role of agricultural extension workers on rice field production in Mariat District, Sorong Regency, and (2) To determine the influence of the role of agricultural extension workers on rice field production in Mariat District, Sorong Regency. The study was conducted from August to October 2023 in Mariat District, Sorong Regency. Data were collected through interviews with questionnaires, the number of respondents was 24 people. The data collected were analyzed descriptively quantitatively and continued with multiple linear regression analysis. The results obtained showed that the role of extension workers was as a motivator with a weight of 63%, educator 54%, consultant 58%, and facilitator 67%. The role of extension workers as motivators, educators, and consultants has a significant influence on lowland rice production, while the role of agricultural extension workers as facilitators does not have a significant influence on lowland rice production in Mariat District, Sorong Regency.Keywords: Role, Agricultural Extension Workers, Lowland Rice ProductionAbstrak Penyuluh pertanian mempunyai peran yang penting dalam pembanguan pertanian Indonesia karena sebagai agen perubahan dan, merupakan ujung tombak yang langsung berhubungan dengan petani. Dalam hal ini, penyuluh pertanian dibutuhkan guna membantu keberhasilan produksi dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi petani dalam melaksanakan kegiatan usaha taninya. Tujuan penelitian adalah (1) Mengidentifikasi peran penyuluh pertanian pada usahatani padi sawah di Distrik Mariat Kabupaten Sorong, dan (2) Mengetahui pengaruh peran penyuluh pertanian terhadap produksi padi sawah di Distrik Mariat Kabupaten Sorong. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Agustus sampai dengan Oktober 2023 di Distrik Mariat Kabupaten Sorong. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara dengan bantuan kuesioner, jumlah responden adalah sebanyak 24 orang. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan dilanjutkan dengan analisis regresi linear berganda. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa peran penyuluh adalah sebagai motivator memperoleh bobot 63%, edukator 54%, konsultator 58%, dan fasilitator 67%. Peran penyuluh sebagai motivator, edukator, dan konsultator berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap produksi padi sawah sedangkan peran penyuluh pertanian sebagai fasilitator tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap produksi padi sawah di Distrik Mariat Kabupaten Sorong. Kata kunci: Penyuluh Pertanian, Peningkatan Produksi, Pendapatan Pertanian