Pengetahuan Petani Tentang Hama dan Penyakit pada Tanaman Cabai di Desa Lubuk Cuik Kecamatan Lima Puluh Kabupaten Batubara

Abstract

This paper examines farmers' knowledge about pests and diseases in red chili plants in Lubuk Cuik Village, Limapuluh Pesisir District, Batubara Regency. The focus of this study look examines the diversity of farmers' knowledge about types of pests, classification of pest attack levels, classification of types of disease, and farmers' creativity in testing pesticides and fertilizers. The reason I am interested in studying this topic is because chili farmers have a variety of knowledge that continues to develop from day to day, season to season. Knowledge obtained from various sources is accumulated and produces new knowledge. The process of emergence of various types of knowledge is interesting to research because it is dynamic. This study uses a qualitative method. I conducted location surveys three times, namely in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to learn about red chili cultivation. Starting from the initial process of preparing the proposal, collecting field data, and processing the data took five months. Data collection techniques were carried out by conducting in-depth interviews, observations and participating in farming activities. The criteria for key informants in this research are based on farming experience. This paper uses cognitive anthropology studies that culture resides in the human mind. This research aims to describe the diversity of knowledge about pests and diseases in chili plants using the 'folk taxonomy' method, to explore what farmers think about pests and diseases of chili plants. The results of this research show that chili farmers in Lubuk Cuik Village have a diversity of knowledge related to types of pests and diseases. They have unique terms for types of pests and diseases. The emergence of this term is based on the knowledge possessed. Lubuk Cuik chili farmers generally carry out their creativity by testing pesticides and fertilizers. Test by mixing two types of chemical pesticides, trying one type of chemical pesticide that is considered effective, and testing homemade pesticides. Fertilizer trials were also carried out, namely by mixing manure with chemical fertilizer, chemical fertilizer with stimulant fertilizer, and chemical fertilizer with chemical fertilizer. This research concludes that each farmer has a variety of knowledge about types of pests and diseases. Pest and disease problems become more complex with clustered land conditions. Farmers always evaluate with the knowledge they have. The diversity of farmers' knowledge is obtained from various sources. In transferring knowledge, each farmer has different principles. Some farmers share the knowledge they have, some share it, or they don't want to share it.