Haluoleo University

Introduction Sustainable rural development requires strengthening farmers’ capacities and leveraging Cyber Extension to address productivity stagnation, the digital divide, and limited access to information in support of the self-reliance of rice farmers. This study aims to analyze the role of capacity strengthening of rice farmers through the utilization of Cyber Extension in promoting rural community empowerment in Konda Subdistrict. Methods The study population comprised lowland rice farmers in Konda Subdistrict. The sample was selected using proportional random sampling. The research variables consisted of three components: farmers’ capacity, utilization of Cyber Extension, and community empowerment. Data and information were described and interpreted through a logical analytical framework using both descriptive and inferential statistics within a structured analytical approach. Descriptive analysis employed class interval formulas, while inferential analysis referred to Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), implemented using SmartPLS 3.0. Results Rural community empowerment in the lowland rice production centers of Konda Subdistrict is strongly influenced by farmers’ capacity levels and the utilization of Cyber Extension as a digital extension instrument. Farmers’ capacity was found to range from moderate to good; however, limitations persist in digital literacy and access to information technology. Structural relationship analysis revealed that farmers’ capacity has a significant effect on the level of Cyber Extension utilization. Moreover, farmers’ capacity exerts both a direct effect on rural community empowerment and an indirect effect mediated through Cyber Extension. These findings indicate that Cyber Extension functions as a mediating variable in the relationship between farmers’ capacity and rural community empowerment. Discussion The findings affirm that Cyber Extension serves as a digital learning space that connects farmers to knowledge sources and extension services, while simultaneously strengthening interaction, learning processes, and the quality of decision-making in lowland rice farming management. The mediating role of Cyber Extension suggests that strengthening farmers’ capacity does not automatically translate into empowerment without the support of an adaptive and inclusive digital extension system. Conceptually, these results enrich the rural community empowerment literature by proposing a model that positions Cyber Extension as a mechanism for transforming individual capacity into collective empowerment, particularly in regions characterized by gaps in digital literacy.

Abstract One indicator of crack formation is a rise in temperature around the deformed region. At the same time, temperature plays a crucial role in influencing deformation behavior and crack growth in many materials. While this phenomenon is well understood in plastic materials, it remains less explored in viscoelastic solids such as polymers and soft matter. This study investigates temperature surges and their consequences for thermal softening in viscoelastic solids during crack growth using a phase-field model. To capture this behavior, we propose two new phase-field models for crack growth in Maxwell-type thermoviscoelastic materials, derived from rigorous physical and mathematical principles through the microforce balance approach. To ensure thermodynamic consistency, we establish an energy dissipation identity that incorporates viscoelastic energy, surface energy, and thermal energy, based on energy conservation and the second law of thermodynamics, specifically the Clausius--Duhem inequality. For the numerical evaluation, we employ the anisotropic adaptive finite element method, which is effective for solving phase-field models of crack propagation. All simulations are performed using FreeFEM, a finite element software for solving partial differential equations. The results reveal three main findings: (1) heat generation during crack propagation originates from mechanical energy dissipation, (2) thermal softening occurs more rapidly in materials with higher viscosity due to enhanced self-heating, and (3) self-heating and thermal softening are strongly correlated, each influencing the other. Overall, the numerical results are consistent with established studies.

Kelurahan Tondonggeu, yang terletak di pesisir Kecamatan Nambo, memiliki kekayaan sumber daya alam dan hayati yang berlimpah, seperti hasil laut, ekosistem lamun, dan potensi wisata bahari. Namun, pemanfaatan potensi ini masih didominasi oleh kegiatan ekonomi tradisional yang nilai tambahnya rendah. Selain itu, permasalahan lain seperti permasalahan lingkungan berupa penumpukan sampah plastik dan sampah organik, dan pemanfaatan hasil laut yang kurang optimal menjadi tantangan tersendiri bagi masyarakat. Tujuan Kegiatan ini adalah untuk memberdayakan masyarakat pesisir untuk pengembangkan ekonomi kreatif berbasis potensi pesisir yang ramah lingkungan, memanfaatkan potensi lokal, dan menciptakan peluang usaha baru. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang ada di Kelurahan Tondoggeu maka beberapa program kerja telah dilaksanakan melalui beberapa tahapan yaitu sosialisasi dan diskusi mengenai tahapan-tahapan kegiatan/program, pembentukkan tim atau kelompok kerja dari mahasiswa untuk mendamping anggota kelompok nelayan, pengumpulan dan pemilahan sampah plastik dengan menyediakan wadah pengumpulnya, pengolahan sampah anorganik (botol plastik) menjadi produk bernilai jual, serta pelatihan pembuatan inovasi produk turunan dari ikan. Secara keseluruhan, kegiatan pengabdian ini berhasil meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat akan pentingnya menjaga kebersihan lingkungan pesisir sekaligus menumbuhkan semangat wirausaha berbasis potensi lokal. Masyarakat tidak hanya memperoleh keterampilan baru, tetapi juga mampu mengubah limbah dan hasil laut menjadi produk bernilai ekonomi. Program ini membuktikan bahwa pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui pendekatan kreatif dan berkelanjutan dapat memberikan dampak positif secara sosial, ekonomi, dan lingkungan.

The Tiworo Watershed on Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, is experiencing significant ecological and anthropogenic pressures that threaten the sustainability of its ecosystem functions. Land cover changes have led to increased surface runoff and have impacted coastal ecosystems. This study aims to evaluate the carrying capacity of the Tiworo watershed by analyzing three key parameters: percentage of critical land (PCL), percentage of vegetation cover (PVC), and erosion index (EI), referring to the Minister of Forestry Regulation No. P.61/Menhut-II/2014. The research methods included spatial analysis based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), collection of secondary data from satellite imagery and relevant agencies, and weighted calculations to determine land carrying capacity scores. The results revealed that 65.4% of the Tiworo watershed area is classified as potentially critical, with 8.14% falling into the critical to very critical category, mainly due to land use change and anthropogenic activities. Although vegetation cover is still relatively good (89.57%), the expansion of settlements and open land has the potential to disrupt ecological stability. The erosion index reached 13.65, far exceeding the tolerance threshold (ETOL 27.55 tons/ha/year), with 52.04% of the area experiencing very severe erosion (>480 tons/ha/year). The land carrying capacity score of 87.5 (good category) indicates that ecological capacity is still adequate, but high degradation pressure requires immediate intervention.

This study aims to identify strategies for managing and preserving the cultural heritage of the Kaheng Kalua Prehistoric Cave area so that it can be utilized as a sustainable tourism destination in the Konawe Islands Regency. The research focuses on cultural and natural potential, the physical condition of the site, the role of the local community, and the supporting and inhibiting factors in site management and preservation. The research method used was qualitative with a descriptive approach. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and documentation. Informants were selected purposively, including village officials, education and culture offices, community leaders, and local residents surrounding the site. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, presentation, and verification to obtain valid findings. The research results indicate that the Kaheng Kalua Prehistoric Cave Area possesses cultural value, with the potential for educational and visual tourism. Proposed management strategies include establishing visiting area boundaries, strengthening community involvement, and digital-based promotion. In conclusion, site management must be carried out in an integrated manner between the government, the community, and relevant parties, while adhering to the principles of sustainable cultural preservation. Keywords: Management, Preservation, Prehistoric Caves, Tourist Destinations.

This study examines the institutional capacity development of women’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Konawe Regency, Indonesia, and their role in improving community welfare. Despite government initiatives, women’s MSMEs still face major challenges in rural areas. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study involved five informants—government officials and women entrepreneurs—through interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. The findings indicate that institutional capacity is hindered by structural, socio-cultural, and economic barriers such as domestic role burdens, limited credit access, low business literacy, and poor digital infrastructure. Although some local initiatives exist, they are often unsustainable due to weak institutional support and a lack of stakeholder collaboration. The study proposes a community-based, collaborative model involving village-level women’s business groups, context-specific training, and gender-sensitive financial access. This model is expected to strengthen women’s institutional capacity, improve household welfare, and promote local economic resilience. The study contributes to gender-responsive institutional development discourse and offers practical recommendations for inclusive rural economic growth.

Pengembangan pariwisata bahari merupakan salah satu strategi penting dalam mendorong pembangunan wilayah pesisir. Keberhasilan pengembangan pariwisata bahari sangat bergantung pada tingkat keterlibatan dan pemberdayaan masyarakat lokal. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pemberdayaan masyarakat lokal dalam pengembangan pariwisata bahari di Kabupaten Buton Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Data primer diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam dengan pejabat kunci Dinas Pariwisata Kabupaten Buton Selatan, sedangkan data sekunder diperoleh dari dokumen perencanaan daerah dan laporan kepariwisataan. Analisis data dilakukan secara tematik untuk mengidentifikasi bentuk pemberdayaan masyarakat, peran kelembagaan, serta tantangan dalam pengembangan pariwisata bahari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberdayaan masyarakat dilakukan melalui pembentukan dan penguatan Kelompok Sadar Wisata (Pokdarwis), pengembangan desa wisata, serta fasilitasi usaha mikro berbasis pariwisata. Pemberdayaan tersebut berkontribusi terhadap peningkatan partisipasi masyarakat dan pengembangan destinasi wisata bahari, meskipun masih menghadapi kendala berupa keterbatasan infrastruktur dan kontribusi ekonomi yang belum optimal. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan implikasi kebijakan bagi penguatan pengembangan pariwisata bahari berbasis masyarakat di daerah pesisir.

This study aims to analyze the influence of influencer marketing and online customer reviews on consumer purchase intention, while considering the role of trust as both a mediating and moderating variable. Using a quantitative approach and Partial Least Squares–based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS), this research involved 410 Shopee users in Kendari City as respondents. Data were collected through a questionnaire employing a Likert scale. The results indicate that both influencer marketing and online customer reviews have a significant direct effect on consumers' purchase intention. However, online customer reviews exert a stronger influence, both in shaping purchase intention and in enhancing consumer trust in the platform. Trust is also proven to play an important role as a mediator, strengthening the relationship between marketing strategies and purchase intention. On the other hand, trust does not function as a significant moderator in the relationship between influencer marketing and purchase intention. In contrast, the interaction between online customer reviews and influencer marketing shows a significant moderating effect, indicating that the combination of these two strategies can mutually reinforce their impact on consumers' purchase decisions. This study emphasizes the importance of building trust through authentic and credible strategies, particularly by leveraging positive online customer reviews, to enhance the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis proses transformasi pemikiran masyarakat Desa Madodo, Kecamatan Kontunaga, Kabupaten Muna, terkait budidaya bawang merah di atas perbukitan berbatu minim air. Permasalahan utama yang diangkat adalah kuatnya persepsi masyarakat mengenai keterbatasan lahan dan sumber air yang selama ini dianggap tidak memungkinkan pengembangan komoditas bernilai ekonomi, serta bagaimana perubahan persepsi tersebut terjadi melalui pengalaman empiris, interaksi sosial, dan dukungan kelembagaan desa. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan melalui proses reduksi, penyajian, dan penarikan kesimpulan untuk memperoleh pemahaman komprehensif mengenai dinamika perubahan pemikiran Masyarakat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa transformasi pemikiran masyarakat berlangsung melalui lima tahapan difusi inovasi menurut Rogers, yaitu pengetahuan, persuasi, keputusan, implementasi, dan konfirmasi. Percobaan awal budidaya bawang merah oleh petani pelopor, keberhasilan panen, serta keterlibatan BUMDes Tangka Liwu melalui pemanfaatan Dana Ketahanan Pangan Desa menjadi faktor kunci yang mematahkan keyakinan lama masyarakat mengenai keterbatasan lahan berbatu. Interaksi sosial antarpetani dan pengamatan langsung terhadap hasil tanaman mempercepat penerimaan inovasi secara kolektif. Selain meningkatkan minat masyarakat untuk kembali mengembangkan pertanian, inovasi ini membuka peluang ekonomi baru yang berkontribusi pada peningkatan kesejahteraan rumah tangga. Secara keseluruhan, penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa budidaya bawang merah di Desa Madodo telah berhasil mengubah cara pandang masyarakat terhadap potensi lahan lokal dan membuktikan bahwa keterbatasan ekologis bukan menjadi hambatan bagi pengembangan pertanian bernilai ekonomi. Transformasi pemikiran yang terjadi menunjukkan pentingnya peran bukti empiris, modal sosial, dan dukungan kelembagaan desa dalam mendorong adopsi inovasi pertanian di wilayah perdesaan.