Utilization Of Social Media As A Dissemination Media By Agricultural Extension Agents During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract— This study aims to analyze the use of social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research location was in the West Java Province which was limited to four districts, representing four agricultural ecosystem zones, namely Bogor, Sukabumi, Ciamis, and Indramayu Regencies. The research samples consisted of 216 field agricultural extension agents spread across the four districts. Data analysis used descriptive statistical analysis. The results showed that the highest level of agricultural extension agents' social media account ownership was on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. In seeking information about agriculture, the extension workers most commonly used YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The extension agents mostly used WhatsApp for the dissemination of agricultural informationKeywords— Social media, agricultural extension agent, Covid-19