Hubungan Karakteristik Individu dan Perilaku Komunikasi dengan Tingkat Adopsi Teknik Pencegahan Kematian ikan (Kasus Petani Ikan Jaring Apung di Blok Jangari Waduk Cirata Cianjur).

Abstract

The objective of the research is to study the relationship between individual characteristics and communication behavior with the level of adopted technique in preventing fish death. The subjects in this research are fish farmers operating floating nets at Blok Jangari Waduk Cirata, Cianjur. The death of fish occurred several times in the area due to plankton booming, recurrent wave, or herpes disease of fish. Some experienced farmers have the knowledge to predict, identify, and overcome the above mentioned problems. Accordingly some preventive measures have been regularly practiced. However, the problems still exist that costs farmers hundreds of tons of fish yearly. It was presumed that effective communications between farmers and extension agents, among farmers, and between farmers and other elements in the business would overcome the problems. The research was conducted in April 2006 using 50 responders. Measurement instrument was tested for validity and reliability before use. Data were analyzed using “Rank Spearman correlation test”. The result shows that the prevention of fish death is effective for most farmers but some farmers do not have the capacity to do so. Most information gathered by farmer, regardless the preventive technique, is through interpersonal communication with the buyers which also serve as middle man in the fish business. Communication through radio or mass media is less important in this case.