Author : Mochamad Sugiarto

Summary : The study was conducted primarily to analyze the process and level of social integration in cattle farmers' groups in Banjarnegara District, Indonesia. Specifically, it aimed to (1) describe the socio-economic, socio-psychological, and organizational profile of farmers udner various organizational development (OD) levels of farmers' groups, (2) identify the variants in the process of social integration in the cattle farmers' groups, (3)determine the level of social integration in cattle farmers' groups, (4) differentiate the level of social integration among the three OD levels of farmers' groups; and (5) determine socio-economic, socio-psychological, and organizational factors that influence the level of social integration of farmers' groups. Multi-stage random sampling was employed to select a total of 145 respondents from eight farmers' groups. In-depth and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the aid of structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analyses. Results show three clusters of farmers' groups which are identified as variants of the social integration process. These variants described the process of social integration based on aspects of adaptation, positioning, interaction and identification. The level of social integration differed among the different levels of farmers' groups. Advanced farmers' groups had relatively higher level of social integration than beginner and intermediate farmers' groups. Among the socio-economic variables, farming experience and age of members showed significant relationship and influence to the level of social integration. Social sensitivity and attitude towards farmers' group are the socio-psychological factors that had significant relationship to and influence on the level of social integration. Among the organizational-related variables, leadership performance, group norms, and communication in a group had significant relationship.