THE THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS AS CHANGE AGENTS IN LOWLAND RICE FARMING IN SAMBAS REGENCY

Abstract

Lowland rice farming is a strategic sector for Sambas Regency's economy, yet its productivity remains suboptimal due to farmers' high dependence on conventional methods and limited access to modern technology. This study aims to analyze the role of agricultural extension agents as change agents, encompassing the functions of catalyst, solution provider, process facilitator, and resource linker in lowland rice farming development. The research employed mixed methods with sequential explanatory design through a census of all extension agents, strengthened by qualitative data. The findings indicate that extension agents have effectively performed all four functions: encouraging innovation adoption through persuasive communication, offering solutions to technical cultivation problems, providing continuous mentoring from planning to evaluation, and bridging farmers with external institutions.