Alternative Model for Food Security Development in Corn Farmers' Households Through the Role of Agricultural Extenders

Abstract

Food security has a strategic role in national development, to fulfill this, it is necessary to have the availability, affordability, and fulfillment of sufficient food at all times, which is safe, quality, nutritionally balanced, and diverse both at the national and regional. The goal of this study is to examine alternative models for developing household food security for maize farmers through the role of agricultural extension workers. The research strategy employs mixed methods, which combine quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was carried out in Dompu Regency, using a sample of corn farmer households. The sample was chosen using the purposive sampling method, with a sample size of 150 farmers. The data analysis techniques used to answer the objectives included descriptive analysis, Miles and Huberman analysis techniques, enumeration analysis, and SEM Generalized Structure Component Analysis (GSCA). According to research, corn farmers in Dompu Regency have the best potential for expanding rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, and peanuts to attain household food security. Farmer household food security is linked to participation, the role of extension workers, and behavior change supported by innovation, production factors, post-harvest, and marketing. Alternative methods of maize farmer household food security in Dompu District through the role of extension agents include: The degree of food security influences welfare, and the level of food security is more dominantly controlled by behavioral changes, but the function of extension workers does not directly affect the level of food security, but can have a substantial influence if through behavioral change variables. Furthermore, while involvement does not have a direct impact on food security, it does have a major impact when it is achieved through the role of extension workers and behavioral changes. The influence of participation dominates the role of extension workers, and participation is dominated by the influence of innovation and post-harvest. Approach is an aggressive agricultural development strategy for establishing household food security among maize farmers in Dompu Regency by capitalizing on their possibilities and skills for agricultural development.