Evaluasi Kinerja Operator Pemupukan Mekanis (Fertilizer Spreader) Berdasarkan Gender di Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit PT Kruing Lestari Jaya

Abstract

Pemupukan merupakan aspek penting dalam budi daya kelapa sawit karena berpengaruh dalam pertumbuhan dan produktivitas tanaman. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi kinerja operator pemupukan mekanis menggunakan fertilizer spreader berdasarkan gender di PT Kruing Lestari Jaya. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif komparatif dengan teknik sampel jenuh terhadap tiga operator (dua laki-laki dan satu perempuan). Data dianalisis secara deskriptif, dilanjutkan uji Shapiro–Wilk dan Mann–Whitney pada taraf nyata 5%. Rata-rata kapasitas kerja operator berturut-turut sebesar 30,29; 21,93; dan 28,80 ha/hari, dengan seluruh operator berkategori sangat kompeten. Hasil uji Mann–Whitney menunjukkan kinerja operator perempuan tidak berbeda nyata dengan salah satu operator laki-laki (p = 0,614), tetapi berbeda nyata dengan operator lainnya (p < 0,05). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kinerja operator lebih dipengaruhi oleh kompetensi, ergonomi kerja, dan faktor pendukung produktivitas dibandingkan gender, sehingga peningkatan kinerja perlu difokuskan pada aspek-aspek tersebut tanpa membedakan gender.

Fertilization is a crucial aspect of oil palm cultivation, as it influences plant growth and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of mechanical (fertilizer spreader) operators based on gender at PT Kruing Lestari Jaya. A descriptive-comparative method was employed using a saturated sampling technique involving three operators (two male and one female). Data were analyzed descriptively, followed by Shapiro–Wilk and Mann–Whitney tests at a 5% significance level. The average work capacities of the operators were 30.29, 21.93, and 28.80 ha/day, respectively, with all operators classified as highly competent. The Mann–Whitney test results indicated that the female operator's performance did not differ significantly from that of one male operator (p = 0.614) but differed significantly from the other male operator (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate that operator performance is influenced more by competence, work ergonomics, and productivity-supporting factors than by gender; therefore, performance improvement efforts should focus on these aspects rather than on gender distinctions.