Rasionalitas Petani Dalam Menghadapi Kenaikan Harga Pupuk (Studi Petani di Desa Betak Kecamatan Kalidawir)

Abstract

To grow crops, farmers need a number of production values such as the availability of money,
fertilizer, as well as production and distribution networks which will have a beneficial influence
on improving farmers' welfare in the future. However, in the agricultural sector, the government's
strategy to increase fertilizer prices is a problem, as is the policy of subsidized fertilizer and
increasing the price of non-subsidized fertilizer. Apart from that, fertilizer availability is minimal
and the accuracy of allocation is sometimes not on target. In order to overcome this problem, of
course farmers should make rational choices. Therefore, this research aims to describe the choices
that farmers consider rational when facing rising fertilizer prices. Qualitative research using the
case study method was used in this research using rational choice theory analysis. The research
was conducted in Betak Village, Kalidawir District, Tulungagung Regency. Data was collected
using primary data. Primary data was obtained by interviews, documentation and observation. The
informants for this research were 5 farmers who were selected using purposive sampling technique.
The data obtained was analyzed using 3 stages, namely the reduction stage, data presentation and
conclusion drawing. Then the results will be analyzed using James S. Coleman's rational choice
theory. The results of this research are that farmers in Betak village are farmers with a mixed
category (commercial and subsistence). Farmers implement rationality through two forms, namely
actors and resources. As an actor, farmers do this by working side jobs and borrowing money.
Meanwhile, the resources here are obtained by fertilizing on a limited basis and using manure.