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Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 124 views

Factors Affecting Farmers' Preferences for Fertilizer Subsidies: A Case Study in Namo Rambe Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province

Introduction

The fertilizer subsidy program is a crucial initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security. Subsidized fertilizers are a vital component of farming, and understanding the factors that influence farmers' preferences for these subsidies is essential for the program's success. This study aims to analyze the factors that affect farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers, as well as their preferences for the fertilizer subsidy program itself. The study was conducted in Namo Rambe Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province, and used the logistics regression analysis method.

Background

The fertilizer subsidy program has been implemented in various countries, including Indonesia, to support farmers in increasing their crop yields and improving their livelihoods. However, the program's effectiveness depends on several factors, including farmers' knowledge and access to information about the program. Understanding these factors is crucial for designing an effective fertilizer subsidy program that meets the needs of farmers and achieves its goals.

Methodology

This study used the logistics regression analysis method to analyze the factors that influence farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers. The study collected data from 100 farmers in Namo Rambe Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province, using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire covered various factors, including farmers' knowledge about fertilizer use, access to information about the fertilizer subsidy program, production levels, income, and land area.

Results

The results of the study showed that knowledge factors and access to information had a significant influence on farmers' preferences for buying subsidized fertilizers. Specifically, the study found that farmers who had a good understanding of the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T) and had easy and accurate access to information about the fertilizer subsidy program were more likely to prefer buying subsidized fertilizers. Conversely, the study found that the amount of production, income, and land area did not have a significant effect on farmers' preferences for buying subsidized fertilizers.

Regarding the preferences for using subsidized fertilizer, the study found that knowledge factors had a significant effect. Specifically, the study found that farmers who had a good understanding of the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T) were more likely to prefer using subsidized fertilizers. Other factors, such as the amount of production, access to information, and land area, did not have a significant effect on farmers' preferences for using subsidized fertilizers.

Discussion

The findings of this study indicate that increased knowledge about the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T) and easy and accurate access to information about the fertilizer subsidy program are crucial for encouraging farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers effectively. This suggests that the fertilizer subsidy program needs to be better designed, considering the factors that influence farmers' preferences, in order to achieve its goals in increasing agricultural productivity and national food security.

Suggestions

Based on the findings of this study, the following suggestions are made:

Increasing education and training for farmers regarding the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T) can help improve the efficiency of fertilizer use and maximize crop yields.
Increasing access to information about fertilizer subsidized programs through various platforms, such as websites, applications, and social media, can help farmers understand the program mechanism and make it easier for them to get subsidized fertilizer.
Evaluation and improvement of fertilizer subsidized programs regularly, taking into account farmers' preferences and factors that influence them, can increase the effectiveness of the program and achieve the expected goals.

Conclusion

This study shows that knowledge and access to information play an important role in influencing farmers' preferences for fertilizer subsidized programs. The effective fertilizer subsidy program must be designed by considering these factors and striving to increase knowledge and access to information for farmers. By doing so, the program can achieve its goals in increasing agricultural productivity and national food security.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study was conducted in a single village, which may not be representative of other villages in the region. Secondly, the study used a structured questionnaire, which may not capture the complexity of farmers' preferences and factors that influence them. Finally, the study did not consider other factors that may influence farmers' preferences, such as market access and government policies.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to address the limitations of this study by conducting a larger-scale study that includes multiple villages and considers other factors that may influence farmers' preferences. Additionally, future research should explore the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy program in increasing agricultural productivity and national food security.

References

[1] World Bank. (2019). Fertilizer Subsidy Program: A Review of the Literature.
[2] FAO. (2018). Fertilizer Use and the Environment.
[3] Ministry of Agriculture. (2020). Fertilizer Subsidy Program: Guidelines and Regulations.

Appendices

Appendix A: Questionnaire used in the study
Appendix B: Data analysis and results
Appendix C: List of participants and their characteristics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Factors Affecting Farmers' Preferences for Fertilizer Subsidies

Q: What is the fertilizer subsidy program, and how does it benefit farmers?

A: The fertilizer subsidy program is a government initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security. The program provides subsidized fertilizers to farmers, which helps them to improve their crop yields and increase their income.

Q: What are the factors that influence farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers?

A: The study found that knowledge factors and access to information have a significant influence on farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers. Specifically, farmers who have a good understanding of the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T) and have easy and accurate access to information about the fertilizer subsidy program are more likely to prefer buying and using subsidized fertilizers.

Q: What is the significance of knowledge factors in influencing farmers' preferences?

A: The study found that knowledge factors, such as understanding the techniques of using appropriate fertilizers (6T and 4T), have a significant effect on farmers' preferences for buying and using subsidized fertilizers. This suggests that increasing education and training for farmers regarding fertilizer use can help improve the efficiency of fertilizer use and maximize crop yields.

Q: How can farmers access information about the fertilizer subsidy program?

A: Farmers can access information about the fertilizer subsidy program through various platforms, such as websites, applications, and social media. Additionally, farmers can also access information through government agencies, extension services, and other organizations that provide agricultural support.

Q: What are the benefits of the fertilizer subsidy program for farmers?

A: The fertilizer subsidy program provides several benefits to farmers, including:

Improved crop yields and increased income
Increased access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
Improved knowledge and skills in fertilizer use and management
Increased participation in agricultural markets and trade

Q: What are the limitations of the fertilizer subsidy program?

A: The fertilizer subsidy program has several limitations, including:

Limited access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
Limited knowledge and skills among farmers regarding fertilizer use and management
Limited participation in agricultural markets and trade
Limited government support and resources for the program

Q: How can the fertilizer subsidy program be improved?

A: The fertilizer subsidy program can be improved by:

Increasing education and training for farmers regarding fertilizer use and management
Improving access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
Increasing government support and resources for the program
Improving participation in agricultural markets and trade

Q: What are the implications of the study for policymakers and agricultural extension services?

A: The study has several implications for policymakers and agricultural extension services, including:

The need to increase education and training for farmers regarding fertilizer use and management
The need to improve access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
The need to increase government support and resources for the program
The need to improve participation in agricultural markets and trade

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to address the limitations of this study by conducting a larger-scale study that includes multiple villages and considers other factors that may influence farmers' preferences. Additionally, future research should explore the effectiveness of the fertilizer subsidy program in increasing agricultural productivity and national food security.

Q: What are the policy implications of the study?

A: The study has several policy implications, including:

The need to increase education and training for farmers regarding fertilizer use and management
The need to improve access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
The need to increase government support and resources for the program
The need to improve participation in agricultural markets and trade

Q: What are the recommendations for agricultural extension services?

A: The study recommends that agricultural extension services should:

Increase education and training for farmers regarding fertilizer use and management
Improve access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs
Increase government support and resources for the program
Improve participation in agricultural markets and trade