Analysis of The Role of Farmer Groups in Enhancing Lowland Rice Production in Tangse District, Pidie Regency

Abstract

Farmer groups play a pivotal role as institutional drivers in upgrading agricultural systems and securing smallholder livelihoods. This study aims to analyze farmers' perceptions of the role of farmer groups in supporting lowland rice farming needs in Gampong Krueng Seukeuk, Tangse District, Pidie Regency. Using a descriptive quantitative approach, data were gathered through structured questionnaires distributed to 26 respondent farmers selected via proportionate stratified random sampling from seven active farmer groups. The institutional support was evaluated across three core dimensions using a five-tier Likert scale instrument. The research findings reveal that the overall perceived role of farmer groups falls into the "Moderately Influential" category, indicated by an aggregate institutional index score of 3.35. Separately, the provision of financial capital achieved a mean score of 3.48, which is classified as "Moderately Influential" under the consistent interval system, followed closely by information dissemination and technical assistance (3.36, "Moderately Influential"). Conversely, the provision of agricultural inputs scored the lowest (3.21, "Moderately Influential") because of persistent logistical delays in subsidized fertilizer distribution. To transform these groups into highly influential production facilitators, it is recommended that farmer groups transition into active cooperative units by fostering internal savings-and-loan synchronization to establish collective bargaining power for input procurement, while reinforcing timely coordination with authorized input distributors to match localized planting calendars.