Faktor-Faktor Sosial Ekonomi Yang Mempengaruhi Keputusan Petani Dalam Menggunakan Pupuk Bersubsidi

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the socioeconomic factors influencing farmers' decisions to use subsidized fertilizer in Pulubala Village, Pulubala District, Gorontalo Regency. The study was motivated by the persistent variation in subsidized fertilizer utilization among farmers, despite the government's implementation of a fertilizer subsidy program intended to improve agricultural productivity and farmer welfare. A quantitative approach was employed using binary logistic regression, with a sample of 85 farmers selected through purposive sampling. The independent variables examined were education level, income, land area, access to information, farming experience, farmer age, and the price of non-subsidized fertilizer, while the dependent variable was the decision to use subsidized fertilizer. The results show that education level, access to information, income, and the price of non-subsidized fertilizer have a significant negative effect on farmers' decisions, whereas farming experience and land area have a significant positive effect, with land area being the most dominant factor. Farmer age shows no significant effect. The odds ratio interpretation indicates that a one-unit increase in land area and farming experience raises the likelihood of subsidized fertilizer use, while increases in education, access to information, income, and non-subsidized fertilizer price reduce it. Simultaneously, all socioeconomic variables examined significantly influence farmers' decisions. These findings suggest that farmers' decisions are shaped not only by economic considerations but also by social and structural factors related to fertilizer distribution access. Strengthening the accuracy and reach of subsidized fertilizer distribution mechanisms is therefore needed to ensure the policy is more effective and better targeted.