Proficiency in Informatics and Communication Technology Application to Improve Agricultural Counseling Performance in Luwu Regency, Indonesia

¹ University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang 65144, East Java, Indonesia
² Muhammadiyah University of Palopo, Palopo 91922, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
³ University of Tribhuwana Tunggadewi, Malang 65144, East Java, Indonesia
⁴ University of Wiraraja, Sumenep 69451, East Java, Indonesia
⁵ Widyagama Mahakam University, Samarinda 75119, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
⁶ Universitas of Lancang Kuning, Pekanbaru 28264, Riau, Indonesia
⁷ University of Muhammadiyah Palembang, Palembang 30263, South Sumatera, Indonesia
⁸ School of Business Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University, 72220 Västerås, Sweden
⁹ Lahore Business School, University of Lahore, 96RR+879 Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
¹⁰ University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia
¹¹ Mayantara School, Malang 65146, East Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: bambang_y@umm.ac.id

Abstract

Informatics and Communication Technology (ICT) provides relevant agricultural information, which is essential in agricultural development attempts, in timely fashion. Aiming to find out if it is able to improve the efficiency of agricultural counseling agents, this study examined agricultural counseling agents in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. As explanatory quantitative research, simple random sampling was applied to respondents of google form questionnaire and the data were analyzed as per Structural Equation Model (SEM) and supported by smart PLS application. The result came out with R² value of 0.868, representing the agricultural counseling agent’s proficiency and ICT application signified agricultural counseling agent’s efficiency at 86.8 %. It is therefore conclusive that agricultural counseling agent’s efficiency in extension activities relies on both their proficiency and ICT application.