The Effect of Agricultural Extension Workers' Performance on the Adoption of Cattle-Maize Integration Technology in Kabangka District, Muna Regency

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of agricultural extension workers’ performance on the adoption of beef cattle and maize integration technology in Kabangka District, Muna Regency. The research was conducted from March to May 2026 in Kabangka District, Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. The study population consisted of farmers who cultivated maize and raised beef cattle within an integrated farming system, totaling 102 farmers. The sample was determined using the Slovin formula with a 5% margin of error, resulting in 81 farmer respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale and structured interviews. The performance of agricultural extension workers was measured based on indicators of planning, implementation, and evaluation of extension activities, while the adoption of integration technology was measured through the application of maize waste utilization as animal feed, livestock manure utilization as organic fertilizer, agricultural waste management, and the implementation of an integrated maize–cattle farming system. Data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) approach. The results showed that the performance of agricultural extension workers was categorized as high, with an average score of 3.93, while the adoption level of beef cattle and maize integration technology was also categorized as high, with an average score of 4.08. Hypothesis testing results indicated that the performance of agricultural extension workers had a positive and significant effect on the adoption of integration technology, with a path coefficient value of 0.870, a T-statistic value of 7.637, and a P-value of 0.000. These findings indicate that better performance of agricultural extension workers in conducting extension activities, providing assistance, and delivering technological information will increase the level of adoption of beef cattle and maize integration technology among farmers. This study concludes that agricultural extension workers’ performance plays an important role as a driving factor in the successful adoption of integrated cattle–maize farming technology in Kabangka District, Muna Regency