Dinamika Kelompok Tani Bawang Merah di Kabupaten Sabu Raijua

Irfan Arsyad Firdaus, Dr. Najmu Tsaqib Akhda S.P., M.A.

2026 | Skripsi | PENYULUHAN & KOMUNIKASI PERTANIAN

Masyarakat petani bawang merah di Kabupaten Sabu Raijua memiliki fondasi modal sosial informal yang kuat, namun menghadapi tantangan berupa disfungsi pada kelembagaan formal kelompok tani. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus melalui teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan diskusi kelompok terfokus (FGD). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persepsi petani terhadap fungsi kelompok tani sebagai media belajar, wahana kerja sama, dan unit produksi secara keseluruhan cenderung negatif karena kelembagaan ini mengalami reduksi makna sebatas formalitas administratif demi memenuhi syarat perolehan bantuan pemerintah. Hubungan kepercayaan horizontal antarpetani berjalan sangat solid berkat ikatan kekerabatan, sedangkan kepercayaan vertikal terhadap pengurus kelompok dan penyuluh pertanian tergolong rendah akibat minimnya transparansi pengelolaan bantuan serta pasifnya pendampingan lapangan. Krisis kepercayaan vertikal dan tata kelola yang buruk ini memicu sikap apatis anggota, sehingga mematikan dinamika kelompok dan memaksa petani untuk mencari informasi serta mengadopsi inovasi secara mandiri di luar organisasi. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa kuatnya budaya gotong royong di tingkat informal belum mampu bertransformasi menjadi kelembagaan kelompok tani formal yang aktif dan partisipatif akibat dominasi motif hubungan yang bersifat transaksional. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan strategi reorganisasi kelompok tani berdasarkan kesadaran dan kebutuhan riil petani, penyusunan regulasi tertulis yang transparan terkait pengelolaan bantuan kelompok, serta penguatan peran penyuluh melalui pendekatan penyuluhan yang inklusif berbasis praktik lapangan (demplot).

The shallot farming community in Sabu Raijua Regency possesses a strong foundation of informal social capital, yet they face significant challenges due to the dysfunction of formal farmer group institutions. This study utilizes a qualitative approach with a case study method, employing data collection techniques that include in-depth interviews, observations, and focus group discussions (FGD). The results show that farmers' overall perception of these groups as learning media, vehicles for cooperation, and production units tends to be negative because the institution has experienced a reduction in meaning, becoming a mere administrative formality to qualify for government assistance. While horizontal trust relations among fellow farmers remain highly solid due to strong kinship ties, vertical trust toward group management and agricultural extension workers is remarkably low due to a lack of transparency in aid management and passive field assistance. This crisis of vertical trust and poor governance triggers widespread apathy among members, thereby stifling group dynamics and forcing farmers to seek information and adopt innovations independently outside the organization. The study concludes that a strong informal culture of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) has not yet successfully transformed into active and participatory formal farmer groups due to the dominance of transactional motives within institutional relationships. Therefore, strategic interventions are required, including restructuring farmer groups based on the genuine awareness and real needs of the farmers, formulating clear and transparent written regulations regarding the management of group assistance, and strengthening the role of extension workers through an inclusive, hands-on extension approach based on field practices (demonstration plots).

Kata Kunci : Modal sosial, persepsi, kelompok tani, kelembagaan pertanian, petani bawang merah, Kabupaten Sabu Raijua./Social capital, perception, farmer groups, agricultural institutions, shallot farmers, Sabu Raijua Regency.