Extension Program Design for the Innovation of Plastic Mulch Use to Control Weeds in Upland Rice in Siempat Rube District, Pakpak Bharat Regency

Abstract

Upland rice production in Siempat Rube District is constrained by weed growth, highlighting the need for appropriate innovations to reduce weed-management burdens and support crop productivity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an agricultural extension design promoting the use of plastic mulch for weed control in upland rice cultivation. The study was conducted in Siempat Rube District from January to March 2026 using a descriptive survey approach involving 39 rice farmers as respondents. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and questionnaires and analyzed using percentage analysis and a Likert scale. The findings show that farmer adoption of plastic mulch increased from no adopters to 20 farmers, representing 51.28% of the respondents. The extension design, encompassing instructional materials, methods, media, frequency, location, timing, and costs, achieved an acceptance score of 81.42%, corresponding to the strongly agree category. These findings indicate that the extension design was positively received by farmers and supported the adoption of plastic mulch as an innovation for weed control in upland rice cultivation. The study concludes that a systematically designed extension program can facilitate farmer adoption of plastic mulch technology. The findings provide practical implications for agricultural extension services, particularly by emphasizing the importance of continued technical assistance and field demonstrations to strengthen the implementation and adoption of plastic mulch for weed management.