The Role of Agricultural Extension in Improving the Productivity of Local Corn Farming in Siompu District, South Buton Regency
Article Sidebar
Technology Adoption,
integration,
Sandy–Coral Soils,
Agroecosystems
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the role of agricultural extension in enhancing productivity of local maize farming systems in Siompu District, South Buton, an island ecosystem characterized by shallow sandy–coral soils and a dominant smallholder strategy combining maize cultivation and goat husbandry. Using a quantitative survey complemented by qualitative field observations, data were collected from 82 maize farmers selected through stratified random sampling. Four variables were examined: (1) effectiveness of extension services, (2) adoption of site-specific maize cultivation technologies, (3) integration of maize–goat farming, and (4) maize productivity. Results indicate extension performance is moderate, constrained by infrequent visits and limited use of field demonstrations. Technology adoption is also moderate; farmers readily adopt low-cost practices such as improved row spacing and organic fertiliser, but show low uptake of key soil and water conservation measures, including mulching, minimum tillage, and balanced fertilisation, which are crucial for sandy soils. The maize–goat integration index shows strong use of goat manure and maize residues, yet integration remains traditional and falls short of zero-waste nutrient cycling. Regression analysis shows technology adoption has the strongest effect on productivity, followed by farming-system integration and extension performance. Overall productivity remains low due to partial agronomic innovation uptake and suboptimal livestock-resource integration. The study recommends a more intensive, site-specific, and integrated extension model that prioritises soil conservation technologies aligned with existing maize–goat practices to strengthen sustainable maize production in small-island dryland agroecosystems. Government seed support is limited and irregular, strongly reinforcing farmers’ reliance on locally sourced seed.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Abrol, V., Sharma, P., Chary, G., Srinivasarao, C., Sankar, G., Singh, B., Kumar, A., Hashem, A., Ibrahimova, U., Abd_Allah, E., & Kumar, M., 2024. Integrated organic and mineral fertilizer strategies for achieving sustainable maize yield and soil quality in dry sub-humid inceptisols. Scientific Reports, 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74727-4.
Agus, F., Andrade, J., Edreira, J., Deng, N., Purwantomo, D., Agustiani, N., Aristya, V., Batubara, S., Herniwati, H., Hosang, E., Krisnadi, L., Makka, A., , S., Cenacchi, N., Wiebe, K., & Grassini, P. (2019). Yield gaps in intensive rice-maize cropping sequences in the humid tropics of Indonesia. Field Crops Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.04.006.
Allam, M., Radicetti, E., Quintarelli, V., Petroselli, V., Marinari, S., & Mancinelli, R., 2022. Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis. Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040464.
Arumugam, R., Sivalingam, R., Murugesan, S., Perumal, C., Manivelu, R., Subramaniam, A., Padmanaban, B., Natarajan, K., & Arunagirinathan, I., 2025. Impact of diverse enterprises on productivity, profitability, employment creation, and energy management of integrated farming system under lowland conditions of Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.7324/jabb.2025.201617.
Aziz, M., Rizvi, S., Iqbal, M., Syed, S., Ashraf, M., Anwer, S., Usman, M., Tahir, N., Khan, A., Asghar, S., & Akhtar, J., 2021. A Sustainable Irrigation System for Small Landholdings of Rainfed Punjab, Pakistan. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011178.
Azizu, A. M., & Azizu, M. N. (2023, September). Analysis of corn marketing efficiency in sribatara village buton district. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1230, No. 1, p. 012012). IOP Publishing.
Badan Pusat Statistik. (2021). Analisis Produktivitas Jagung dan Kedelai di Indonesia 2020. Jakarta: BPS.
Droppelmann, K., Snapp, S., & Waddington, S. (2017). Sustainable intensification options for smallholder maize-based farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Security, 9, 133-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-016-0636-0.
Gao, Y., Zhao, D., Yu, L., & Yang, H., 2020. Influence of a new agricultural technology extension mode on farmers' technology adoption behavior in China. Journal of Rural Studies, 76, pp. 173-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.04.016.
Liu, J., Schulz, H., Brandl, S., Miehtke, H., Huwe, B., & Glaser, B. (2012). Short‐term effect of biochar and compost on soil fertility and water status of a Dystric Cambisol in NE Germany under field conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 175, 698-707. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201100172.
Liu, Y., Yan, M., Na, K., Hwang, J., Shin, S., Yin, L., Deng, X., & Wang, S. (2022). The New Soil Conditioner DewEco Could Improve Sandy Soil’s Properties for Efficient Maize Growth. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051124.
Kätterer, T., & Bolinder, M., 2024. Response of maize yield to changes in soil organic matter in a Swedish long‐term experiment. European Journal of Soil Science, 75. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13482.
Maertens, M., Oyinbo, O., Abdoulaye, T., & Chamberlin, J., 2023. Sustainable maize intensification through site-specific nutrient management advice: Experimental evidence from Nigeria. Food Policy, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2023.102546.
Meng, X., Guo, Z., Yang, X., Su, W., Li, Z., Wu, X., Ahmad, I., Cai, T., & Han, Q., 2021. Straw incorporation helps inhibit nitrogen leaching in maize season to increase yield and efficiency in the Loess Plateau of China. Soil and Tillage Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105006.
Midamba, D., Kwesiga, M., & Ouko, K., 2023. Determinants of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among maize producers in Northern Uganda. Cogent Social Sciences, 10. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2286034.
Naderi, R., Edalat, M., & Kazemeini, S., 2016. Short-term responses of soil nutrients and corn yield to tillage and organic amendment. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 62, pp. 570-579. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2015.1066929.
Nakano, Y., Tsusaka, T., Aida, T., & Pede, V., 2018. Is farmer-to-farmer extension effective? The impact of training on technology adoption and rice farming productivity in Tanzania. World Development, 105, pp. 336-351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.12.013.
Nasir, B., Lakani, I., Najamudin, N., Sabariyah, S., Lasmini, S., Asdar, M., Astawa, I., Akbar, I., & Tiana, I., 2021. Development of Integrated Farming Businesses Based on Zero Waste Agriculture in Parigi Moutong Regency. Journal of Community Practice and Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.33479/jacips.2021.1.2.28-39.
Otieno, E., Ngetich, F., Kiboi, M., Muriuki, A., & Adamtey, N., 2021. Tillage system and integrated soil fertility inputs improve smallholder farmers’ soil fertility and maize productivity in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, 122, pp. 159-171. https://doi.org/10.17170/kobra-202107134319.
Oyinbo, O., Chamberlin, J., Vanlauwe, B., Vranken, L., Kamara, Y., Craufurd, P., & Maertens, M., 2019. Farmers' preferences for high-input agriculture supported by site-specific extension services: Evidence from a choice experiment in Nigeria. Agricultural Systems, 173, pp. 12 - 26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.02.003.
Pandey, D., Yadav, D., Kumar, A., Kumar, A., Yadav, R., Verma, A., & Yadav, S., 2025. Effect of Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Eastern Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports. https://doi.org/10.9734/jsrr/2025/v31i42926.
Seran, Y., Da Silva, H., & Kario, D. (2021). Productivity of Maize in The Marginal Dryland in East Nusa Tenggara Province – Indonesia. E3S Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123201011.
Shanmugam, P., Sangeetha, S., Prabu, P., Varshini, S., Renukadevi, A., Ravisankar, N., Parasuraman, P., Parthipan, T., Satheeshkumar, N., Natarajan, S., & Gopi, M., 2024. Crop–livestock-integrated farming system: a strategy to achieve synergy between agricultural production, nutritional security, and environmental sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1338299.
Wang, N., Zhang, T., Cong, A., & Lian, J. (2023). Integrated application of fertilization and reduced irrigation improved maize (Zea mays L.) yield, crop water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in a semi-arid region. Agricultural Water Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108566.
Yang, Y., Lei, D., Zhang, Y., Zhao, Z., Xie, H., Deng, F., Bao, X., Zhang, X., & He, H., 2025. Effects of Pig Slurry Coupled with Straw Mulching on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Maize Growth. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051062.