The effect of extension on community knowledge in peatland management: Case study in Rasau Jaya Village, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan

Abstract

Since 1974, farmers in the Rasau Jaya Dua Village have interacted with peatlands. Agricultural yields on peatlands have not reached maximal yields. Farmers’ knowledge on plant pest and disease controls, post-harvest processing and marketing and utilization of peat water for fish farming is still limited, so that extension and assistance are needed. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of extension on community knowledge in peatland management. The study was conducted in the Rasau Jaya Village, Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan Province from October to November 2018. This research used a survey method by randomly sampling 32 farmers from five farmers’ groups. This research implemented pre-test and post-test group design. The result showed that extension with the lecture and discussion method had a significant effect on increasing farmers’ knowledge in peatland management. To increase farmers’ knowledge in peatland management, it is necessary for intervention through extension by encouraging and involving institutions related to peatland management, such as community assistance organizations, agencies such as office of the agriculture, cooperative, small and medium enterprises, and trade and industry, and other institutions.