Agricultural extension workers play a highly significant role in developing farmer groups in Hatupangan Village, Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra. This finding comes from a study conducted by Sabirin, Novita Aswan, and Anugrah Sri Widiasyih from Universitas Graha Nusantara Padangsidimpuan in 2025, published in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS) in 2026. The study highlights that the success of agricultural development at the village level is closely tied to the effectiveness of extension services. The agricultural sector remains a key pillar of Indonesia’s economy, employing a large share of the workforce. However, challenges such as climate change, limited access to technology, and low farmer participation continue to hinder its development. In this context, farmer groups serve as strategic platforms to improve farmers’ capacity and independence, while extension workers act as the main drivers of change on the ground. Hatupangan Village was selected as the research site because it represents rural areas with strong agricultural potential but still faces constraints in infrastructure and resources. Most residents depend on farming commodities such as rice, rubber, coffee, and horticultural crops.
The study applied a descriptive quantitative approach involving 45 respondents out of a total of 82 farmer group members. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and structured questionnaires.
Farmer perceptions were measured using a Likert scale across four key roles of extension workers:
· Educator
The results show that the overall role of extension workers falls into the category of “important” to “very important” in supporting farmer group development.
Key findings include:
1. Role as Educators (Very Important)
Extension workers actively provide technical guidance, training, and agricultural information. The average score of 2.33 indicates that their educational function is effective.
2. Role as Organizers/Dynamizers (Very Important)
Extension workers are able to manage farmer groups, increase participation, and resolve internal conflicts. This role received the highest average score of 2.53.
3. Role as Facilitators (Very Important)
Extension workers help farmers access government support, technology, and partnerships. The average score of 2.50 reflects strong performance in this role.
4. Role as Motivators (Moderately Important)
Although extension workers maintain communication with farmers, their ability to assist in problem-solving remains limited. This role recorded the lowest average score of 2.21.
According to Anugrah Sri Widiasyih from Universitas Graha Nusantara Padangsidimpuan, extension workers have successfully acted as a bridge between farmers and essential resources. However, strengthening their role in motivation and direct assistance is necessary to maximize impact.
The study also identifies several ongoing challenges:
· Low participation among some farmer group members
Implications for Agricultural Development
Strong extension services have proven to:
· Improve farmers’ knowledge and skills
Sabirin from Universitas Graha Nusantara Padangsidimpuan highlights that enhancing extension workers’ capacity through training, improved communication, and the use of technology is essential to accelerate agricultural transformation.
The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to:
· Enhance training and capacity-building programs for extension workers
· Sabirin – Researcher in agricultural development, Universitas Graha Nusantara Padangsidimpuan
Source
Sabirin, Aswan,
N., & Widiasyih, A. S. (2026). Analysis of the Role of Agricultural
Extension Workers in the Development of Farmer Groups. International Journal of
Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 353–362.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v4i3.206
https://aprmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijatss
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