Agricultural Extension Workers Research Articles

The Role of Extension Workers in Pepper Farming (Piper Nigrum) in Batu Timbau Village, Batu Ampar Sub-District, East Kutai District

The development of pepper farming in Batu Timbau Village cannot be separated from the role of agricultural extension workers in encouraging and providing information to farmers. This study aimed to determine the role of extension workers in pepper farming in Batu Timbau Village, Batu Ampar Sub-District, which is seen from the aspects of motivators, educators, catalysts, organizers, and communicators. This research was carried out in 2021 in Batu Timbau Village, Batu Ampar Sub-District, East Kutai District. The sampling technique in this study used the census method with a total sample of 47 pepper farmers. The data analysis method used was descriptive statistics with a 3-item Likert scale. The results showed that the role of extension workers for pepper farmers in Batu Timbau Village was included in the role category seen from five aspects of the assessment. The role of extension workers for pepper farmers in the motivator aspect was included in the interval between 391.71 - 548.30 which is included in the role category with a value of 488. In the educational aspect, it is included in the interval of the role category with a value of 472. In addition, the aspect of organizers, communicators, and catalysts are in the interval of role categories with values of 485, 502, and 545 respectively.

Effect of Purple Blotch Farm Management Practices on Onion Production in Uganda

Onion is one of the most important commercial vegetable crops grown intensively in the world. Purple blotch found in all the growing regions is the most destructive of all onion diseases. Detailed studies on the disease's management practices had not been conducted in Uganda. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of purple blotch disease management practices on onion production. Kabale, Kasese, and Mbale regions were identified as the major onion-growing regions. Five farms/onion varieties/regions were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 52 farm owners who were interviewed. The results revealed the majority were small-scale peasant farmers with mean acreage of 0.64-1.94, which varied significantly p=.000, and Kasese had the highest. Eight onion varieties were recorded: Bombay red, Hazera, Hybrid, Malbec, Red coach, Red creole, S-Zee and Tanzania, with Red creole grown in all the regions. Kabale registered the highest number of farms (40.3%), Kasese district (25.0%), the highest mean production of 6,329.9 kg/season, and Namisindwa (21.1%) the second. The main source of seed was Agro input dealers. The use of artificial fertiliser was highest in Mbale (72.7%) and lowest in Kasese (50%), though it did not vary p>.05 significantly. Only farmers in Kabale and Kasese had access to credit facilities, agricultural extension workers and farmers' groups, with Kasese in the lead. Onion purple blotch disease and thrips were the main problem in all the regions and were controlled using chemicals: 100%, 90.9% and 88.3% in Mbale, Kabale, and Kasese, respectively. Weeding of farms was lowest in Mbale (mean = 3.88) and highest in Kasese (4 .84). In conclusion, growing the right onion variety, farmer groups, access to credit facilities, and genuine farm inputs are necessary for a sustainable onion agribusiness in Uganda

Core Skills and Competencies Essential for Agricultural Extension Workers to Meet Present Day Challenges

Agricultural extension contributes significantly for improving the welfare of farmers and others living in rural areas. Extension advisory services and programs strengthen the farmer’s capacity to innovate by facilitating farmers to access latest agricultural knowledge and adoption. The extension workers, therefore, not only advices farming families but also motivate them to use improved agricultural implements and adopt the modern agricultural technologies according to their socioeconomic status. The success of extension workers depends on the possession of skills and experiences gained in executing need based programs effectively. Hence, an attempt has been made in this study to assess level of importance of core competencies and skills required by extension workers to perform their job effectively. Mean index scores were calculated for each individual skills listed under twelve broad areas of skills and competencies selected for the study. The results revealed that, soft skills were ranked first followed by communication skills. Organizing/implementing agricultural development program, team building skills, formation and development of farmer organization and facilitation skills, use of modern communication methods and AV aids, use of computer applications, preparation of digital schedule/ questionnaire, knowledge on agricultural insurance policies and procedures, problem solving skills, proficiency on subject matter concepts, cultural intelligence, business planning and self-motivation are the individual skills ranked first respectively on the listed twelve broad areas of skills and competencies. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the extension workers are required to be equipped with these skills during the undergraduate and postgraduate level itself by designing and reorienting the curriculum and enhance the competence of the agricultural graduates along with upgrading the skills of extension workers.

Green Economy Based Agriculture Extension in Klaten Regency: A Literature Study on Evaluation and Strategy

The agricultural sector has become a potential sector in Klaten Regency. This cannot be separated from the role of agricultural extension workers. Nonetheless, the environment has become a major issue in the development of the agricultural sector and it makes a tradeoff. The aim of this study to provide recommendations for agricultural extension strategies through a green economy approach. This study uses a qualitative approach and supported quantitatiely through weighting and scoring. Data analysis techniques using literature review (library) with SWOT analysis. The agricultural extension program in Klaten Regency has been running in accordance with statutory regulations and technical instructions from the local government. However, the problem that occurs at this time, most of the agricultural extension pay less attention and do not include environmental elements in the agricultural extension process.The agricultural extension model through a green economy-based curriculum is one of the solutions offered in this study. The results of the SWOT analysis in the development of green economy-based agricultural extension agents through the empowerment curriculum is in quadrant I (progressive). In its implementation, a four-actor collaboration model (quadruple helix) is recommended in this study.

Comparing delivery channels to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh

We use a randomized controlled trial in rural Bangladesh to compare two models of delivering nutrition content jointly to husbands and wives: deploying female nutrition workers versus mostly male agriculture extension workers. Both approaches increased nutrition knowledge of men and women, household and individual diet quality, and women’s empowerment. Intervention effects on agriculture and nutrition knowledge, agricultural production diversity, dietary diversity, women’s empowerment, and gender parity do not significantly differ between models where nutrition workers versus agriculture extension workers provide the training. The exception is in an attitudes score, where results indicate same-sex agents may affect scores differently than opposite-sex agents. Our results suggest opposite-sex agents may not necessarily be less effective in providing training. In South Asia, where agricultural extension systems and the pipeline to those systems are male-dominated, training men to deliver nutrition messages may offer a temporary solution to the shortage of female extension workers and offer opportunities to scale and promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture. However, in both models, we find evidence that the presence of mothers-in-law within households modifies the programs’ effectiveness on some nutrition, empowerment, and attitude measures, suggesting that accounting for other influential household members is a potential area for future programming.

Evaluasi Pelatihan Level Ii (Pembelajaran) Peserta Pelatihan Fungsional Dasar Penyuluh Pertanian Ahli

This research aimed to find out the effectiveness of training at level II, based on the theory of Four Levels Kirkpatrick. The training that we observed in this study Respondent in this study is all partisipants of basic training of functional position of agricultural extension workers. The evaluation results show that the level of mastery of the material that has been taught obtained a score of 3.91 which is in the good category. The results of the evaluation of the attitudes of the participants averaged 83.13 with very good criteria. By comparing pre and post-testdata using paired samples t-test,the resultsshown that there are significant difference in knowledge before and after attending the training

LEVEL OF EXTENSION METHODS IMPORTANCE FROM THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS POINT OF VIEW IN SULAIMANI GOVERNORATE

The aim of this study was to determine the level of agricultural extension methods importance from the extension workers point of view in Sulaimani governorate, then identify relationship between agricultural extension methods importance with some variables. The population consists of the all agricultural extension workers in agricultural extension directorate of Sulaimani and they were (137) workers, the sample of the research included (106) respondents representing nearly (%77) of the population, taken by a simple sampling random method. Questionnaire was prepared to collect the data. The results showed that the level of importance of extension methods were high tends to medium, group extension methods occupied the first rank in the level of importance of extension methods. Farm visit paragraph occupied the first rank in the individual method, then field demonstration paragraph occupied the first rank in the group method finally extension campaigns paragraph occupied the first rank in the mass method. The results also showed there is a significant relationship between the level of importance and each of the following variables (Previous training, Exposure to sources of the agricultural information. Attitude towards agricultural extension. Job satisfaction). While not significant relationship between the level of importance of extension methods and the other variables.
 The researchers recommended pay attention to energizing their programs through agricultural extension methods, and Focusing on activating the group method, Agricultural extension department should pay attention for the workers to participate in training courses.

KINERJA DAN KEPUASAN PETANI TERHADAP PENYULUH PERTANIAN DI KECAMATAN BANDAR MATARAM, KABUPATEN LAMPUNG TENGAH

This study aims to identify the performance and satisfaction of farmers with agricultural extension agents. The research was carried out in Sendang Agung Mataram Village, Central Lampung Regency from October to November 2021. The number of respondents was 24 farmers who were taken by accidental sampling method. Data collection used a questionnaire using a Likert scale which was analyzed by interactive data analysis. The results of the research show that the performance of agricultural extension workers as facilitators is quite good. Of the six performance indicators of agricultural extension workers as facilitators, five indicators performed quite well and one indicator received a poor rating. The indicator that received a poor performance rating was the extensionist's support in assisting the preparation of farmer work programs. Overall, farmers are not satisfied with the performance of agricultural extension workers. Indicators that have low satisfaction are: 1) providing training/ services to farmers, 2) evaluating and reporting the results of the implementation of agricultural extension activities and the responsiveness of extension workers in providing problem solutions to farmers.

Using of Information and Communication Technology by Agricultural Extension workers in some governorates of the Arab Republic of Egypt

Using of Information and Communication Technology by Agricultural Extension workers in some governorates of the Arab Republic of Egypt

PENINGKATAN KOMPETENSI PETANI PADI SAWAH MELALUI PERANAN PENYULUH PERTANIAN DI KECAMATAN TOJO KABUPATEN TOJO UNA - UNA

Agricultural extension agents have a role as a motivator, dynamist, facilitator and communicator. Therefore, extension workers have an important role to provide knowledge to farmers about improving farming and crop productivity, in this case rice farming in Tojo District, Tojo Una-Una Regency. This research was carried out from May to August 2020 in Tojo District, Tojo Una-Una Regency and the objective was to determine the role of agricultural extension workers in increasing the competence of paddy field farmers. The research was carried out using quantitative methods with a total sample of 144 paddy field farmers. Based on the research results, the role of extension workers as advisors increases the competence of paddy field farmers in the cultivation aspect, while the role of extension agents as motivators, dynamists, communicators and facilitators was very significantly negatively related to the competence of farmers in aspects of cultivation and harvesting.

Analisis Jaringan Sosial Untuk Penguatan Komunikasi Petani Pembibitan Sayuran (Studi Kasus: Desa Wangunsari Lembang Bandung Barat)

Wangunsari Village is a pioneer village that initiated a vegetable nursery as a business unit. In developing vegetable nurseries, nursery farmers face various problems. To solve problems, nursery farmers rely only on personal experience and information they have. With regard to information, communication is very much needed for the development of vegetable nursery farming. To strengthen the communication of vegetable nursery farmers in Wangunsari Village, this study uses social network analysis to find out community features and key actors. The measurements used are density, efficient clustering, degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality. In the measurement of density, the strength of the network is 11.5% with 129 bonds. Clustering measurement coefficient with a value of 0.569. As for the degree centrality measurement, namely InDeg and Outdeg by 10% for actor H. Closeness centrality, namely InCloseness is 66 and InFarness 50 is owned by actor H. Betweenness centrality is highest at 682.35 for actor H. value 0.4. The existence of this social network analysis can be the first step for agricultural extension workers and other institutions in agricultural development efforts regarding the development of vegetable nurseries in Wangunsari Village.

Knowledge flow analysis of knowledge co-production-based climate change adaptation for lowland rice farmers in Bulukumba Regency, Indonesia

To increase the resilience of farmers' livelihood systems, detailed knowledge of adaptation strategies for dealing with the impacts of climate change is required. Knowledge co-production approach is an adaptation strategy that is considered appropriate in the context of the increasing frequency of disasters caused by climate change. Previous research of knowledge co-production on climate change adaptation in Indonesia is insufficient, particularly at local level, so we examined the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge in the knowledge co-production process through climate field school (CFS) activities in this study. We interviewed 120 people living in Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, involving 12 crowds including male and female farmers participated in CFS and not participated in CFS, local government officials, agriculture extension workers, agricultural traders, farmers' family members and neighbors, etc. In brief, the 12 groups of people mainly include two categories of people, i.e., people involved in CFS activities and outside CFS. We applied descriptive method and Social Network Analysis (SNA) to determine how knowledge flow in the community network and which groups of actors are important for knowledge flow. The findings of this study reveal that participants in CFS activities convey the knowledge they acquired formally (i.e., from TV, radio, government, etc.) and informally (i.e., from market, friends, relatives, etc.) to other actors, especially to their families and neighbors. The results also show that the acquisition and sharing of knowledge facilitate the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge based on knowledge co-operation. In addition, the findings highlight the key role of actors in the knowledge transfer process, and key actors involved in disseminating information about climate change adaptation. To be specific, among all the actors, family member and neighbor of CFS actor are the most common actors in disseminating climate knowledge information and closest to other actors in the network; agricultural trader and family member of CFS actor collaborate most with other actors in the community network; and farmers participated in CFS, including those heads of farmer groups, agricultural extension workers, and local government officials are more willing to contact with other actors in the network. To facilitate the flow of knowledge on climate change adaptation, CFS activities should be conducted regularly and CFS models that fit the situation of farmers’ vulnerability to climate change should be developed.

Evaluasi Kinerja Penyuluh Pertanian Pada Era New Nomal Di Kecamatan Pinolosian Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Selatan

This study aims to evaluate the performance of agricultural extension workers in Pinolosian District, Bolaang Mongondow Selatan Regency. Evaluating the characteristics of PNS and THL extension workers, the performance characteristics of extension workers and the characteristics of farmers. The method used in this research is survey method. The selection of the research location was carried out deliberately, namely in Pinolosian District by taking four extension agents, namely two PNS extension officers and two THL extension officers. The research was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023. The data used in this study are primary data and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through direct interviews with 20 respondents from farmer group members assisted by PNS extension workers and 20 members of farmer group assisted by THL extension agents, the total was 40 respondents. The sampling method was carried out intentionally (purposive sampling). The data analysis method used in this research is descriptive analysis using a Likert scale. The results of the research show that the performance of PNS and THL extension workers has a fairly good assessment of farmer groups, which can be seen from several indicators.

Kinerja Penyuluh Pertanian Lapangan di Kecamatan Kotabunan Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Timur

This research aims to: 1). Knowing the internal factors and external factors agricultural field extension, 2). Knowing the performance of field agricultural extension in Kotabunan District, East Bolaang Mongondow Regency. This research was conducted from October to November 2022. The sampling method was purposive sampling. This research used primary data obtained through interviews and observation and secondary data obtained from books, previous research and BPS of Kotabunan District. The data obtained is presented in tabular form and then analyzed descriptively. Category determination is obtained based an assessment or score with the measurement method used is the Likert scale. The results of the study show that the internal factors that support are the extension workers are still in the productive age, some extension workers have a formal undergraduate education indicating that the human resources of the extension workers are quite good, most of the extension workers have enough years of work/work experience and all extension workers have attended training. The external factors that support the availability of sufficient facilities, infrastructure and information to make it easier for extension agents to carry out extension activities, good extension intensity can increase cooperative relations between farmers and a supportive reward system can increase enthusiasm and motivation for extension workers to work. The performance of field agricultural extension in Kotabunan District, East Bolaang Mongondow Regency is in the very good category. Performance indicators that show very good results include the preparation of extension programs, the availability of regional map data according to commodity zoning, the preparation of agricultural extension work plans in each work area, the dissemination of agricultural technology information evenly, and the growth and development of farmer empowerment and independence. The performance of extension agents that showed poor results was the realization of business partnerships between farmers and entrepreneurs and the realization of farmers' access to financial institutions.

HUBUNGAN KUALIFIKASI PENYULUH DENGAN KAPASITAS PENYULUH PERTANIAN DI KOTA KENDARI

The implementation of agricultural extension in the success of agricultural development in Indonesia needs to be supported by the ability of individual extension workers themselves in carrying out their duties as agricultural extension workers. So that the position of agricultural extension workers is an important position in the process of delivering and implementing agricultural extension programs in agricultural development. Therefore, extension workers are required to have the ability or capacity to carry out extension activities to the farming community. This study aims to determine: 1). the qualifications of extension workers with the capacity of agricultural extension workers 2). The relationship between the qualifications of extension workers and the capacity of agricultural extension workers in conducting extension activities in Kendari City. The basic research method used is quantitative with survey techniques. The location selection was done purposively in Kendari City. Sampling using census / saturated sampling technique and respondents taken as many as 63 agricultural extension workers. Data analysis using the spearman rank test. The results showed that: 1) the level of qualifications possessed by agricultural extension workers in Kendari City has fulfilled the capacity as an agricultural extension worker and 2) there is a significant relationship between the qualifications of agricultural extension workers and the capacity of agricultural extension workers in Kendari City.

MODAL SOSIAL DALAM KEGIATAN PENYULUHAN PERTANIAN DI KOTA KENDARI

The purpose of this investigation is to (1) determine the identity of agricultural advisor in Kendari City; and (2) knowing the social capital of extension workers in carrying out extension activities in the Kendari City. The samples in the study were all agricultural extension workers in Kendari City. The data analysis used in this study Is a descriptive quantitative analysis that is processed using the class interval formula. The results of this study showed that the social capital of Kendari City is generally in the good category. This can also be seen from the aspects of trust, reciprocity and social interaction are in the good category. This means that agricultural extension workers in Kendari City have implemented the elements of social capital well.

Pengaruh Peran Penyuluh Pertanian Terhadap Dinamika Kelompoktani Hortikultura di Kecamatan Tigapanah

The dynamics of farmer groups is influenced by internal factors, namely the farmer groups themselves and external factors. Namely the role of agricultural extension workers. This research was conducted in Tigapanah District, Karo Regency with the consideration that this sub-district had the second largest number of farmer groups in Karo Regency with a total of 349 farmer groups. This study aims to analyze the effect of the role of agricultural extension workers on the dynamics of horticultural farmer groups. The analytical method used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. The results showed that the role of agricultural extension workers as facilitators, innovators, motivators, dynamists, educators, and consultants had a significant effect on the dynamics of horticultural farmer groups consisting of group objectives, group structure, task functions, group coaching and development, group cohesiveness, group atmosphere, group pressure, group effectiveness, and ulterior motives.

COVID-19 Disruptions of Food Systems and Nutrition Services in Ethiopia: Evidence of the Impacts and Policy Responses.

Since its first case of COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, Ethiopia has exerted efforts to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) without imposing a nationwide lockdown. Globally, COVID-19 related disruptions and mitigation measures have impacted livelihoods and food systems, nutrition, as well as access and use of health services. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems, health services, and maternal and child nutrition and to synthesize lessons from policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. We conducted a review of literature and 8 key informant interviews across government agencies, donors, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to map the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food and health systems in Ethiopia. We summarized policy responses and identified recommendations for future actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other future emergencies. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt across the food system and include limited agriculture inputs due to travel restrictions and closed borders restricting trade, reduced in-person support by agriculture extension workers, income losses, increases in food prices, and the reduction in food security and dietary diversity. Maternal and child health services were disrupted due to fear of contacting COVID-19, diversion of resources, and lack of personal protective equipment. Disruptions eased over time due to the expansion of social protection through the Productive Safety Net Program, and the increased outreach and home service provision by the health extension workers. Ethiopia experienced disruptions to food systems and maternal and child nutrition services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by expanding existing social protection programs and public health infrastructure and leveraging partnerships with non-state actors, the extent of the impact of the pandemic was largely minimized. Nevertheless, vulnerabilities and gaps remain and there is a need for a long-term strategy that considers the potential for future pandemics and other shocks.

Does the farmer’s social information network matter? Explaining adoption behavior for disaster risk reduction measures using the theory of planned behavior

Smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate-related disasters in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing, partly due to land-use changes and poor adoption behavior for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures. Such behavior can be explained by poor beliefs about DRR measures due to limited access to information. Agricultural extension workers are increasingly less trusted because they tend to transfer information less targeted to DRR and have limited spatial coverage. We apply the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explain the adoption behavior for DRR measures and further investigate whether Social Information Networks (SIN) explain the behavior beyond the TPB determinants. Cross-sectional data were collected from 602 randomly selected households from Rwenzori and Ankole in Western Uganda, the sub-regions that are prone to landslides and floods. Results from the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) demonstrate that TPB explains the adoption behavior with Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) as a stronger driver of intentions than subjective norms and attitudes. The intention to apply DRR measures is significantly associated with actual adoption. Farmers’ behavior to control landslides and floods is correlated because the same location is at risk of such interacting disasters. Moreover, SIN also significantly predicts adoption intentions through the three theoretical predictors by playing a moderating role. PBC and professional networks being the main drivers of adoption intentions suggests that the role of extension services cannot be substituted by informal social networks but the two should be complementary. Thus, the study shows the need to build the technical capacity of extension staff and informal networks in DRR measures to share information with farmers.

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries