DIGITALIZATION AND INNOVATION OF RURAL AGRICULTURE (CASE STUDY IN CIBODAS VILLAGE, LEMBANG, WEST BANDUNG)

• Main Author: Ramzis, Novaldo
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Perencanaan wilayah
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/86538
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Agricultural productivity is at the core of rural development, and agricultural modernization is considered one of the keys to rural prosperity. Traditional conventional farming is viewed as insufficient in improving the welfare of the community, especially in the wake of globalization. Digitalization is seen as one of the solutions to address this issue. The premise of this research is that the presence of digital technology and agricultural digitalization in rural areas can provide innovation in agricultural activities, ultimately improving farmers' living standards. This study aims to identify the impact of digitalization on the emergence of innovation in agricultural activities, using the capability approach framework. The capability approach framework is used to understand each farmer’s evaluation of the value of digital technology. If farmers perceive digital technology and digitalization as valuable resources, they will strive to build the capability to utilize digital technology in business development. Conversely, if digital technology is not seen as a valuable resource, they will not attempt to build the capability to utilize it in business development. This research employs a single case study approach. The selected case study location is Cibodas Village in West Bandung Regency. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with informants selected using purposive and snowball sampling. The data collected was then analyzed using comparative techniques. The findings of the study show that digitalization influences the generation of ideas and innovation in agricultural activities. In the utilization of digital technology, farmers are influenced by the same conversion factors, namely personal factors (age and experience) and social-environmental factors (motivation from observing others and infrastructural support). Farmers with the capability to utilize technology tend to achieve broader innovations in agricultural activities, from pre-cultivation, cultivation, to postcultivation. Innovations that emerge during the pre-cultivation stage include innovations in identifying consumer needs and wants, during the cultivation stage in applying smart farming techniques, and during post-cultivation in marketing and distribution channels.