Peran Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi (TIK) terhadap Keberlanjutan Pertanian di Desa Argalingga Majalengka

Abstract

Abstrak. Kehadiran teknologi informasi dan komunikasi (TIK) seperti telepon genggam  di bidang pertanian memberikan  peluang besar untuk mendukung tercapainya pertanian berkelanjutan. Namun, implementasinya di tingkat petani belum sepenuhnya optimal karena berbagai kendala, seperti keterbatasan pemahaman petani tentang peran TIK di bidang pertanian, akses petani terhadap TIK, literasi digital petani, infrastruktur dan lainnya. Berdasarkan hal tersebut maka penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran TIK khususnya penggunaan telepon genggam terhadap keberlanjutan pertanian. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Desa Argalingga, Kecamatan Argapura Majalengka dengan melibatkan 100 petani yang dipilih secara acak (random sampling). Data yang dianalisis terdiri dari data primer dan sekunder. Data primer diperoleh melalui wawancara terstruktur dengan petani menggunakan kuesioner dan wawancara mendalam (in-depth interview) dengan sejumlah informan. Sementara itu, data sekunder dikumpulkan dari instansi pemerintah. Pengukuran variable TIK menggunakan skala likert dan dianalisis secara deskriptif kualitatif yang diperkuat dengan hasil in-depth interview. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa TIK, seperti telepon genggam yang dimanfaatkan petani dalam kegiatan pertanian telah berperan dalam membantu mengakses informasi penting, seperti pengelolaan lahan dan prediksi cuaca dan iklim, ketersediaan faktor produksi, pasar dan sistem pemasaran serta sebagai media komunikasi antarpetani, konsultasi antara petani dengan penyuluh/mitra. Selain itu, menurut para petani TIK yang dimanfaatkan dalam kegiatan pertanian tersebut telah berkontribusi positif dalam mewujudkan keberlanjutan pertanian. Hasil temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa TIK khususnya telepon genggam, telah mampu mengefisiensi waktu, biaya dan tenaga dalam berbagai aktivitas pertanian. Oleh karena itu, untuk meningkatkan peran TIK dalam mewujudkan pertanian berkelanjutan  maka upaya peningkatan literasi digital, sarana jaringan digital dan aksesnya bagi para petani menjadi sangat urgen untuk dilakukan.

Abstract. The presence of information and communication technology (ICT), such as mobile phones, in agriculture offers significant opportunities to support the achievement of sustainable farming. However, its implementation at the farmer level has not yet been fully optimized due to several challenges, including farmers’ limited understanding of ICT’s role in agriculture, limited access to ICT, low digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and other constraints. Based on these issues, this study aims to analyze the role of ICT, particularly the use of mobile phones, in promoting agricultural sustainability. The research was conducted in Argalingga Village, Argapura District, Majalengka Regency, involving 100 farmers selected through random sampling. The data analyzed consisted of both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected through structured interviews with farmers using questionnaires, as well as in-depth interviews with several key informants. Meanwhile, secondary data were obtained from government institutions. ICT variables were measured using a Likert scale and analyzed through a qualitative descriptive approach, supported by the results of in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that ICT, particularly mobile phones used by farmers in agricultural activities, plays an important role in facilitating access to essential information, such as land management, weather and climate predictions, availability of production inputs, market information and marketing systems, as well as serving as a medium for farmer-to-farmer communication and farmer–extension worker/partner consultations. Furthermore, farmers reported that the use of ICT in agricultural activities has contributed positively to achieving agricultural sustainability. These results indicate that ICT, particularly mobile phones, has effectively enhanced efficiency in terms of time, cost, and labor across various farming activities. Therefore, to further strengthen the role of ICT in realizing sustainable agriculture, it is urgent to improve farmers’ digital literacy, digital network facilities, and access to ICT.