Partisipasi petani dalam meningkatkan kapasitas kelembagaan kelompok petani (kasus di Provinsi Jawa Tengah)
Farmer’s participation to increase the capacity of famers’ institution (case on Farmers’ Group at Province of Central Java)
Abstract
The capacity of farmers’ group institutions are needed to promote agricultural development, in globalization economic era. Economic indicators, agricultural infrastructures, and government policy often cause small farmer to economically and socially marginalized. Farmers with small size land ownership, marginal rate of return in agriculture sector, agriculture policy which nonalignment to farmer make more difficult to increase their income. On the other side, farmers’ group institutions which are expected be able to strengthen the farmer position face the problems of mismanagement or less effective in improve famers’ livelihood condition. The objectives of the research are to: (1) Identify the degree of member participation in farmers’ group institution, and level of the capacity of farmer group’s institute in managing agriculture resources collectively; (2) Identify and explain various factors affect member participation in farmers’ group institution; (3) Identify and explain various factors affect the capacity of farmes’ group institution; and (4) Formulate an appropriate strategy in capacity building of farmers’ group institution. The data were collected at three district of Center Java Province, namely: Klaten, Grobogan, and Karanganyar. Data obtained through interview by 405 respondents whose members of farmers’ group institutions, 48 local leaders, and informans others. The results show that capacity of farmers’ group institution is still at medium category. Capacity of farmers’ group institution was directly influenced by level of members’ participation in farmer groups’ institution, capacities level of farmer, and dynamic level of learning group. Social economical status (formal education, non-formal education, farmers’ experience in work, famers’ income, famers’ needs, social participation, and learning experience), local leadership, intensity of outsiders’ role, the support of extension were indirectly influenced to the capacity of farmers’ group institution through dynamic of learning group, participation in farmers’ group institution, and farmers’ capacities.