PERAN KELOMPOK TANI DALAM MENINGKATKAN RPODUKTIVITAS PADI SAWAH DI KELURAHAN NGKARING-KARING KECAMATAN BUNGI KOTA BAU-BAU

The objective of this study is to determine the level of productivity of paddy rice and the role of farmer groups in enhancing it in Ngkaring-Karing Village, Bungi Sub-district, Bau-Bau City. The research population comprised 231 wet-rice farmers in Ngkaring-Karing Village, out of which 39 respondents were randomly selected as the sample. Data was collected using survey and interview methods, with an interview guide as the research instrument. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the activities and roles of farmer groups, and productivity analysis was used to determine the level of productivity of paddy rice. The results indicate that the farmer groups in Ngkaring-Karing Village have three roles: a learning class, a vehicle for cooperation, and a production unit. The role of paddy rice farmer groups is dominated by their function as a vehicle for farmer cooperation. The productivity of paddy rice in Ngkaring-karing Village averaged 4.1 tons/ha, which is lower than that of Kecamatan Bungi (4.61 tons/ha), Bau-Bau City (4.34 tons/ha), and Southeast Sulawesi Province (4.13 tons/ha).