Evaluation of smart farm training for extension officers to support digitalizing era

Abstract

Smart farming is an agricultural concept based on precision agriculture. It utilizes technology automation supported by big data management, machine learning or artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural production. In its implementation, extension workers play a vital role as the vanguard of this program escort. Therefore, increasing the capacity of extension workers in smart farming is very necessary. This paper evaluated several aspects of smart farming training for extension workers. This paper uses secondary data from the evaluation form of 30 participants collected from Batangkaluku Agricultural Training Centre. Results showed that male extension officers dominated the training participants (70%). The subjects/training modules can be mastered by participants with scores>3.4 out of 5. The training can increase participants’ comprehension of the material up to 2.75x higher. The satisfaction level was above 4 out of 5. The findings can help the organizing committee in improving related aspects. Increased capacity building of agriculture extension officers by such training was expected to overcome the gap in the information of technology innovation from researchers to farmers.