The Role of Private Extension Agents in Broiler Farmer Business Capacity Building using a SEM Lisrel

Abstract

The low business capacity of broiler farmers is the reason behind the failure to achieve a sustainable farming business. Efforts for capacity building could be conducted by private extension agents who are the technical personnel of core companies in the broiler partnership pattern. The purpose of this study was to analyze the private extension agents’ strategies in strengthening the farmers’ capacity. The study was conducted in Bogor Regency and Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province using a survey approach on 247 farmers who run poultry-raising businesses using the partnership pattern based on Slovin’s equation out of the partner farmer population of 646 people. The sample selection used cluster random sampling with farmer clusters from the two regencies. Data were collected through questionnaires completed by farmers and in-depth interviews of key informants. Data were collected from July to October 2018. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis with SEM. The study results revealed that the farmers’ capacity and private extension agents’ competence and role were weak. The farmers’ low capacity was influenced by the private extension agents' weak role. The weak private extension agents’ role was influenced by the private extension agents’ competence which was also weak. Strategies to increase the role of private extension agents are by strengthening their competence through strong collaborations between the government and partner companies so that they may, in turn, strengthen the farmers’ capacity.