Optimization Strategy of Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Development of Integrated Agricultural Systems (Simantri Program) in Bali

In order to develop the agricultural sector, the Bali Province Government has implemented Simantri (Integrated Agricultural Systems) Program in 2009. This program is a breakthrough in efforts to accelerate the adoption of agricultural technology, because it is a pilot model in the development of accelerated transfer of technology to rural communities. One goal of Simantri Program is supporting the development of integrated and agribusiness-based agricultural diversification. Simantri success is influenced by many factors, among which include the ability of the entrepreneurial spirit and agribusiness management (Dinas Pertanian Tanaman Pangan dan Hortikultura Provinsi Bali, 2014). 

According Solahuddin (1998), the agribusiness sector should be able to be built into the leading sectors and the economies of rural economic empowerment so that the program can run well. In an effort to make agribusiness a major sector of agribusiness, a good management is required. One of them is the management of agribusiness technology.

 Utilization of ICT for the development of agriculture in Indonesia is not yet optimal. The same is true in the development of Simantri Program in Bali. At the moment, ICT seems to to escape in the study of the underdevelopment agricultural sector. Farmers lagging information is very large compared to the urban community so an imperfect asymmetric market always happens and it becomes one of the factors that lead to lameness of development. ICT adoption by farmers is slow so that various cases appear that causes ICT to be seen as a negative thing and is not suitable for farmers. Learning from the experience of other countries, the use of ICT for the agribusiness sector in Indonesia should be optimized, so that it can be used together to improve the competence and usefulness for the development of agribusiness and agriculture in a broad sense. The role of ICTs is optimally expected to affect motivation for farmers to apply Simantri Program effectively in order to obtain the effects of increasing income and welfare.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are all activities that aim to acquire, process, store, and disseminate information in various forms i.e., voice, images, data, either in the form of text and numbers which are a combination of computing and telecommunications-based microelectronics (Alter, 1992; Haag and Keen, 1996; Martin et al.1999; Lucas, 2000; Longley and Shain, 2012). Strategic use of ICTs in the development of agribusiness can be seen from the viewpoint of the development aspects of agribusiness information systems. In this regard, Hermawan (2006) expresses the need for attention to the production of information, information processing, distribution as well as market information. 

Strategies to optimize the utilization of ICT in the development Simantri Program in Bali can use approach or theory Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which explains the interest of farmers’ behavior using ICT. 

Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a theory that explains the interest behavior using ICT. The theory was developed by Davis (1989) and later used by several other researchers like Adam et al. (1992), Szajna (1994), Chin and Todd (1995), Gefen and Straub (1997), Igbaria et al. (1997), and Venkatesh and Morris (2000). TAM is based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) developed by Fishbein and Ajzen (Sanjaya, 2005).

In line with the TRA, TAM study also captures the internal variables through some external variables associated with the thing that stands in the ICT target. According to Davis (1989) in the TAM concept, there are two important antecedents that predict behaving interest (behavioral intention) in using ICT namely perceived benefits (perceived usefulness) and perceived ease of use. Both are an internal variable within the individual. Previous empirical studies show that both the individual internal variables have strong support empirically (Venkatesh and Morris, 2000). 

The functions of ICT can be considered effective if the user remains back to using ICT, because they are satisfied with the information and facilities provided. Ali and McGrath (2011) find that the intention to go back to using ICT (intentions to reuse) is influenced by the perception of users to the benefits of information (information usefulness), ease of use (usability) and attractiveness, which is mediated by attitudes toward using ICT itself. Previously, Davis (1989) calls "the benefits of information" (information usefulness) "perceived benefit" (perceived usefulness) and "ease of use" (usability) as "the perceived ease of use". These findings indicate that in addition to providing information that is relevant to users, ICT managers should also consider the technical aspects and aesthetic attributes that can cause the overall attractiveness of ICT facilities to be utilized.

Chen and Wells (1999), Gao and Koufaris (2006), and Karson and Fisher (2005) as quoted Ali and McGrath (2011) show that the change in user behavior such as adoption, purchase decision and the repeated use of ICT is very reliable in determining the effectiveness of the use of ICT. 

The main problem facing the Bali Province Government in the development of agriculture is the unefficiently built ICT systems both upstream and downstream. It becomes an obstacle so the targets and indicators of success of Simantri program have not been fully achieved. The low and insufficient use of ICT as well as mastery of technology in general is a weakness in the implementation of Simantri Program, both at the Bali province, and district levels (Head of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture in Bali, 2015).

Optimal conditions are expected to form through the formulation of strategies to optimize the usefulness of ICT in the development of Simantri program in Bali defined as a condition of the best and most profitable in the use of ICT, which refers to the successful model of information system as defined by DeLone and McLean (1992) updated with the formulation of DeLone and McLean (2003). Successful models, according DeLone and McLean (1992), are a dependency relationship between the independent variables or variables with the dimensions of success that serve as the dependent variable. In a study by DeLone and McLean (1992), the measurement of these aspects is divided into six main categories: quality of the system, quality of information, use, user satisfaction, the impact of the individual, and organizational impact. These dimensions interact with respect to each other. 

In the renewal model of DeLone and McLean (2003), there are additions and details of category. Additions include quality of service, purpose (intention to use), and profits (net benefits). In DeLone and McLean research (2003), success in dimension category selection is based on the goal or outcome. Results expected broadly refer to the impact of information systems on the performance or achievements of the organization. Successful models can be implemented to analyze how much and how important the information systems used in the organization. Within their own organization, the role of information systems is reflected in the profit (net benefits) perceived and obtained. 

Associated with Simantri developmental programs are successful models of DeLone and McLean (2003) which can be used as measurement whether the use of ICT is optimal or not in the program. There are six dimensions to measure the optimal utilization of ICT in the Simantri Program. They are the quality of the system, quality information, and quality of service, the use of the system, user satisfaction, and net benefits.