INFRASTRUKTUR PERTANIAN DAN KELEMBAGAAN PETANI SEBAGAI FAKTOR PENDUKUNG BUDIDAYA PADI GOGO PADA LAHAN KERING: STUDI DI DESA WATUMEREMBE KECAMATAN PALANGGA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

Upland rice cultivation on dryland plays an important role in strengthening food security, particularly in areas where technical irrigation systems are unavailable. The success of upland rice farming is determined not only by the use of production inputs but also by the availability of agricultural infrastructure and the effectiveness of farmer institutions as supporting systems for farming activities. This study aimed to analyze the roles of agricultural infrastructure and farmer institutions as supporting factors for upland rice cultivation on dryland in Watumerembe Village, Palangga District, South Konawe Regency, Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed in this study. Informants were selected using purposive sampling and further developed through snowball sampling, resulting in 14 informants consisting of agricultural extension officers, farmer group leaders, farmer group members, and village officials. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results revealed that the available agricultural infrastructure comprised farm roads, traditional grain storage facilities, and basic transportation facilities, whereas water management infrastructure was unavailable, making upland rice cultivation highly dependent on rainfall. From the institutional perspective, agricultural extension services, farmer groups, and farmer participation were present; however, their functions had not been optimally implemented due to limited extension activities, low farmer group participation, and weak member engagement. Nevertheless, upland rice cultivation has been sustained through farmers' adaptive capacity, which is reflected in their ability to utilize local knowledge and farming experience to overcome the limitations of agricultural infrastructure and institutional support. The development of upland rice cultivation on dryland therefore requires an integrated approach through improving agricultural infrastructure, strengthening the functions of farmer institutions, and enhancing farmers' adaptive capacity to support sustainable farming systems.