Upaya Kelompok Tani Marsudi Rahardjo dalam Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Petani

Abstract

Rahardjo Marsudi farmer group is a group of farmers in Semboro-Lor Hamlet, Semboro Village, District of Semboro, Jember Regency. The farmer group exists by the initiative of farmers in the hamlet due to socio-economic conditions faced by farmers, that is, most of them are smallholder farmers, traditional farmers, difficulty to gain access to capital, low education. Therefore, the impact faced by farmers are lack of knowledge of plant diseases, doubts on new fertilizer/plant drugs, limited sales access, prices are determined by middlemen. By those conditions and impacts, farmers find it difficult to optimize agricultural products. Data collection and determination of informants in this research used purposive sampling technique; in total, there were 9 informants, 7 key informants, and 2 additional informants. Data collection applied passive participant observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis used raw data collection, data transcript, categorization D, temporary inference, triangulation, and final conclusion, whereas the validity of data used triangulation of the sources. The efforts made by Marsudi Rahardjo farmer groups in improving the welfare of farmers covered some of the activities i.e. training, savings and loans, adjusting planting schedules, and counseling. To carry out these activities, Marsudi Rahardjo farmer group is also assisted by PPL (Agricltural Extension Officers), so the activities can be done well.