Analisis Sikap Petani Terhadap Atribut Benih Unggul Jagung Hibrida di Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract

Corn farming productivity is largely determined by seed quality. Increase in corn production in Indonesia was heavily related to the continuous rise in the use of good quality hybrid seed. The growing importance of the use of good quality seed to corn production encourages farmers to be more critical and more selective in choosing variety of hybrid corn seeds. Objective of this study was to identify characteristics and attitudes of farmers toward the use of hybrid corn seeds in South Sulawesi. The attitudes of farmers were analyzed using Fishbein multiatribut approach, while consumers perceptual mapping were used cobweb graphics. Finding of this study is that the attitude of farmers on hybrid corn seed was more positive compared to that of local seeds, but the difference was less if it was compared with composite corn varieties. Comparison of corn seeds among hybrid, composite, and local varieties indicated that the attributes of hybrid corn seed has an advantage in productivity attributes, seed size, cob size, crop standing, and seed prices. Therefore, corn seed producers, with the help of breeders should continue to create better quality seeds which are resistant to pests and diseases, short lifespan, and a more efficient use of fertilizers.