THE EFFECT OF COMIVIUNTCATING Gliricidia maculata ON THE BEHAVIOR OF INDIGENOUS GARUT SHEEP PRODUCERS IN THE DISTRICT OF MAJALENGKA, WEST JAVA

Abstract

Communication of innovation was a key activity in the study to promote indigenous
Garul sheep production to small farmers in the district of Majalengka Gliricidia maculata that was widely grown in rural areas as green fences, but was not used in feeding sheep, was selected as an innovation to be disseminated The objectives were to improve the farmers‘ knowledge on this subject and to motivate them to act on one major constraint to sheep production, e.g., nutrition. To attain these objectives, an audio-visual program entitled “Planting and Feeding Gliricidia maculata to Sheep" was produced. The program was then presented to the
cooperating farmers in four villages in Majalengka, in four consecutive nights, as a part of their training. Tests were given to the participants’ prior and after the presentation. About one year after the show, a follow-up survey was conducted. The objective of the survey was to evaluate whether such information created an impact to the farmers‘ sheep feeding behavior and whether they planted Gliricidia tree cuts to secure further supplies. The results pointed out that, first, the
cooperating farmers benefited from the Gliricidia show. Their knowledge about this subject increased significantly. Second, the follow up survey demonstrated that the majority of the farmers that attended the show did feed Gliricidia tree fodder to their sheep and planted Gliricidia tree cum for further supplies. These findings suggested that sheep producers were receptive to the appropriate information disseminated and used such information in their efforts to alleviate certain constraint to sheep production.