PROGRESSIVE FARMERS AS CATALYSTS FOR REGENERATION IN RURAL AREAS THROUGH FARMER TO FARMER EXTENSION APPROACH

Abstract

Progressive farmers that are labeled as self-help extension workers may play an active role, have control over their own community, take a role in society and be more involved in agricultural development. The results of this study show that currently, the capacity of progressive farmers as self-help extension workers, especially in terms of technical matters, is good enough. Therefore, they have the potential to develop their communities and the opportunity to become independent and equal partners with the government extension workers, not as “government extension assistants” like the current stigma. One of the solutions of compiling a road map for the development of young agropreneurs, is by optimizing the role of progressive farmers as selfhelp extension workers in encouraging the acceleration of farmer’s regeneration. It has been proven that progressive farmers as self-help extension workers have good communication skills in providing examples and encouraging young farmers to love jobs in the agricultural sector therefore, eroding the bad perception of working in the agricultural sector. In addition, they have good capacity potential in empowering fellow farmers. This is identified from their ability as self-help extension workers in terms of technical assistance, disseminating innovations according to farmers’ needs, providing training to partner farmers, becoming informal leaders and maintaining local wisdom.