Social Media as a Platform to Increase Participation of Extension Workers and Farmers in Achieving SDGs
Abstract
The development of farming and agribusiness is a relevant and ideal choice considering the geographical structure of Indonesia as an agricultural country. However, there is a trend in society, particularly among the millennial generation, that prefers to focus on the mechanical industry, financial business, and entertainment. This situation is exacerbated by adolescents∧ widespread use of digital communication technologies and the occurrence of a pandemic, raising concerns that public participation in the agriculture sector may dwindle considerably. Based on several of these manifestations, an analysis was carried out that it was important to use internet-based digital communication tools as a medium of socialization while increasing community participation in agriculture. Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram can be used to communicate and improve production and marketing through e-commerce in order to fulfill sustainable development goals (SDGs). Social media is not simply a means of contact between extension workers and farmersit can also be used to exchange information, innovate, build marketing networks, and obtain other farming supplies. This study aims to optimize the participation of extension workers and farmers in agricultural extension and communication activities. The study also intends to demonstrate the importance of using social media as a non-formal learning tool for farmers and the general public interested in agribusiness. This research applied the constructivist research paradigm with a systematical review method to explore and redefine social media as a medium of participatory extension and communication. As a result, the WhatsApp application provides a social media platform that extension workers and farmers can use for socialization, debate, and consulting to boost agricultural product output and marketing.
Keywords: social media, participation, counseling, communication
References
[1] Ariansyah K. Proyeksi Jumlah Pelanggan Telepon Bergerak Seluler di Indonesia. Buletin Pos Dan Telekomunikasi. 2014 Jun 20;12(2):151-166.
[2] Sugino. Pola Pendampingan Penyuluhan Online Penyuluh Pertanian saat Pademi Covid-19. 2020. Retrieved from https://www.timesindonesia.co.id/read/news/268041/pola-pendampinganpenyuluhan- online-penyuluh-pertanian-saat-pademi-covid19
[3] Humaidi L. Strategi Komunikasi Pertanian di Tengah Pandemi. 2020. Retrieved from https://kepridays.co.id/2020/05/22/strategi-komunikasi-pertanian-di-tengahpandemi/
[4] Knowles MS. Gearing adult education for the seventies. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 1970;1(1):11-16.
[5] Sunhaji S. Konsep pendidikan orang dewasa. Jurnal Kependidikan. 2013;1(1):1-1.
[6] Hidayat I. Teori Belajar Konstruktivistik. 2013. Retrieved from https://ikhsanhidayat28.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/teori-belajar-konstruktivistik/
[7] Mulyana D. Pengertian Komunikasi Verbal Menurut Para Ahli, Fungsi dan Contohnya. 2019. Retrieved from https://batasketik.com/pengertian-komunikasi-verbal/
[8] Hardjana MA. Komunikasi Intrapersonal & Interpersonal. Yogyakarta: Kanisius. 2003.
[9] Riadi M. Komunikasi Nonverbal. 2017. Retrieved from https://www.kajianpustaka.com/2015/08/komunikasi-nonverbal.html
[10] Fajarwati D. Awal Perkembangan Komunikasi dan Penemuan Alfabet. 2012. Retrieved from https://www.kompasiana.com/dyna_fw/5518f06e8133117572 9de0d2/awal-perkembangan-komunikasi-dan-penemuan-alfabet
[11] Comic W. Telekomunikasi. Jakarta: PT Elex Media Komputindo. 2011.
[12] Madonna, M. methamadonnapronews.blogspot.com. 2020. Retrieved from https://methamadonnapronews.blogspot.com/
[13] Setyaningsih R, Abdullah A, Prihantoro E, Hustinawaty H. Model penguatan literasi digital melalui pemanfaatan e-learning. Jurnal Aspikom. 2019 Jan 10;3(6):1200-1214.
[14] Nayoan A. Apa itu E-commerce? Berikut Pengertian, Jenis, serta Manfaatnya!. 2019. Retrieved from https://www.niagahoster.co.id/blog/apa-itu-ecommerce/
[15] Madonna M. Pengembangan Sistem Informasi dan Penyuluhan Kesehatan di Pedesaan Memanfaatkan Forum Komunikasi Warga Melalui WhatsApp Group. Jurnal Resolusi Konflik, CSR dan Pemberdayaan (CARE). 2021 Oct 27;6(1):74-81.