Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the interpersonal communication strategies employed by farmer groups in Gemblangan Village, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, to mitigate the severe impact of rat pest (Rattus argentiventer) infestations on rice production. The research aims to answer the following questions: (1) How do farmer groups design and apply interpersonal communication strategies to address rat infestations? (2) What are the outcomes of these strategies for agricultural resilience and social solidarity? Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the farmer group uses a combination of interpersonal communication practices, including monthly deliberative meetings, group-based WhatsApp communication, and informal interactions in the field. These methods foster participatory dialogue, cultural sensitivity, and mutual understanding among members. The effectiveness of these strategies is demonstrated in reduced crop losses, improved participation in collective pest control, and strengthened social cohesion. This study highlights the limitations of its geographic scope and sample size, which may affect generalizability; however, it contributes to the growing body of literature on agricultural communication by demonstrating how localized interpersonal communication integrates traditional practices with digital tools. Implications extend to communication policies, rural leadership training, and sustainable pest management practices.
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References
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- Wang, Z., Wang, J., Zhang, G., & Wang, Z. (2021). Evaluation of agricultural extension service for sustainable agricultural development using a hybrid entropy and TOPSIS method. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010347
- Zeng, Y., Qiu, F., & Zhang, J. (2022). The impacts of observational learning and word-of-mouth learning on farmers’ use of biogas in rural Hubei, China: does interpersonal trust play a role? Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-022-00350-8
References
Adnan, R. M., Mostafa, R. R., Dai, H., Kuriqi, A., Kisi, O., Muhammad, R., Mostafa, R. R., & Dai, H. (2023). Mechanics Pan evaporation estimation by relevance vector machine tuned with new metaheuristic algorithms using limited climatic data. 2060. https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2023.2192258
Auma, C. M. N., Mweu, M. M., & Opiyo, R. O. (2022). Performance of Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and Patient-Generated Global Subjective Assessment in screening for cancer-related malnutrition in Nairobi, Kenya [ version 1 ; peer review : awaiting peer review ]. 1–13.
Awad, M. (2021). Digitization of agricultural extension. International Journal of Modern Agriculture and Environment, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.21608/ijmae.2023.214939.1007
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Brotodjojo, R. R., Lazuardi, I., & Suprihanti, A. (2023). Population Distribution of Rats (Rattus argentiventer) and the Damage Intensity on Rice and Other Crops in Pleret, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Jpt Jurnal Proteksi Tanaman (Journal of Plant Protection), 7(2), 115. https://doi.org/10.25077/jpt.7.2.115-126.2023
Chib, S. (2019). Facilitating Employee Retention through Employee Engagement and Organization Commitment. Journal of Information and Computational Science, 9(9).
Faruq, M., Wardiyanto, B., Umpain, S. H., & Toyib, M. (2025). Collaboration of Stakeholders and AI in The Implementation of New Public Service in The Digital Era. 5, 63–70.
Gagliardi, I., Patella, G., & Michael, A. (2020). COVID-19 and the Kidney : From Epidemiology to Clinical Practice. July.
Gailhard, İ. U., Bavorová, M., & Pirscher, F. (2015). Adoption of agri-environmental measures by organic farmers: The role of interpersonal communication. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 21(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2014.913985
Hartmann, G., Nduru, G., & Dannenberg, P. (2021). Digital connectivity at the upstream end of value chains: A dynamic perspective on smartphone adoption amongst horticultural smallholders in Kenya. Competition and Change, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/1024529420914483
Kartikasari, R., Suyoso, A. L. A., & Agustina, T. S. (2025). Literature Review of Transformational Leadership: A Study of Effective Leadership Strategy. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 5(1), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v5i1.744
Klerkx, L., & Begemann, S. (2020). Supporting food systems transformation : The what, why, who, where, and how of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems. Agricultural Systems, 184(June), 102901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102901
Li, X., Yang, L., & Lu, Q. (2024). Does Social Learning Promote Farmers’ Cooperative Pest Control?—Evidence from Northwestern China. Agriculture (Switzerland), 14(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101749
Mahdalena, M., Haliah, H., Syarifuddin, S., & Said, D. (2021). Budget Accountability from The Perspective of Habermas' Communicative Action Theory. Golden Ratio of Social Science and Education, 1(2), 61–72. https://doi.org/10.52970/grsse.v1i2.73
Malhotra, C., & Anand, R. (2020). Accelerating public service delivery in India: Application of Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. https://doi.org/10.1145/3428502.3428510
Mngadi, N. (2016). Factors facilitating pest infestation in two low-income urban areas of Cape Town, South Africa: an urban health observation study. In Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling.
Mulyasara, A. (2025). Communication Dynamics in Farmer Groups: Enhancing Food Security Programs Through Agricultural Collaboration. Holistic: Journal of Tropical Agriculture Sciences, 2(2), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.61511/hjtas.v2i2.2025.1634
Nuriman, H., Kurniasih, N., Fauzi, R., Kusnadi, A. E., & Cecep, C. (2022). Proceedings of the Conference on Digital Humanities 2022 (CODH 2022). In Proceedings of the Conference on Digital Humanities 2022 (CODH 2022) (Issue 2017). Atlantis Press SARL. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-69-5
Olson, M. (2007). The Logic of Collective Action [1965]. Contemporary Sociological Theory, 2.
Ostrom, E. (2010). Analyzing collective action. Agricultural Economics, 41(SUPPL. 1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2010.00497.x
Pivoto, D., Barham, B., Waquil, P. D., Foguesatto, C. R., Corte, V. F. D., Zhang, D., & Talamini, E. (2019). Factors influencing the adoption of smart farming by Brazilian grain farmers. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 22(4). https://doi.org/10.22434/IFAMR2018.0086
Regan, Á., & Kenny, U. (2022). What Do the Public Want to Know about Farming and Why? Findings from a Farmer-Initiated Public Consultation Exercise in Ireland. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095391
S. Mulungu, L., M. Mchukya, B., & L. Mnyone, L. (2020). Trap Barrier System (TBS) as a New Tool for Rodent Pest Management in Irrigated Rice in Africa. In Pest Control and Acarology. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81828
Saridewi, L. P., & Annisa, L. H. (2025). Use of Information and Communication Technology at the Farmer Level in Kebumen Regency, Indonesia. 5, 39–45.
Shah, D. (2022). Role of Information and Communication Technology in Agricultural Development of India. Review of Market Integration, 14(2–3). https://doi.org/10.1177/09749292221119286
Solomon, D. H., Brinberg, M., Bodie, G. D., Jones, S., & Ram, N. (2021). A Dynamic Dyadic Systems Approach to Interpersonal Communication. Journal of Communication, 71(6), 1001–1026. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqab035
Sulaiman, A. I., Rosyadi, S., Handoko, W., Masrukin, M., Putri, D. D., Wijayanti, I. K. E., & Faozanudin, M. (2024). The Importance of Participatory Communication in Development Planning Deliberations for Agritourism Village Enhancement. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 24(1), 144–160. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v24i1.246
Sultan, Z. (2024). The Role of Effective Communication in Harmonizing Work Relations and Increasing Employee Work Productivity. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 4(2), 207–214. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v4i2.455
Suzina, A. C., Tufte, T., & Jiménez-Martínez, C. (2020). Special issue: The legacy of Paulo Freire. Contemporary reflections on participatory communication and civil society development in Brazil and beyond. In International Communication Gazette (Vol. 82, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048520943687
Tufte, T., Jiménez-Martínez, C., & Suzina, A. C. (2020). De-constructing participatory communication and civil society development in 2020: a perspective inspired by Paulo Freire. Commons, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.25267/commons.2020.v9.i2.01
Wang, Z., Wang, J., Zhang, G., & Wang, Z. (2021). Evaluation of agricultural extension service for sustainable agricultural development using a hybrid entropy and TOPSIS method. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010347
Zeng, Y., Qiu, F., & Zhang, J. (2022). The impacts of observational learning and word-of-mouth learning on farmers’ use of biogas in rural Hubei, China: does interpersonal trust play a role? Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-022-00350-8