Key findings:

The study highlights the crucial role of agricultural extension workers in improving farmers' welfare by providing information on farming practices and the use of agricultural inputs. Through questionnaire surveys and documentation, the study finds that extension activities positively impact farmers, enhancing their knowledge and utilization of agricultural products, ultimately benefiting their welfare.

What is known and what is new?

This study emphasizes the significant role of agricultural extension workers in enhancing farmers' welfare through the dissemination of valuable information on farming practices and agricultural inputs. Utilizing questionnaire surveys and documentation, the research demonstrates that extension activities positively influence farmers by improving their knowledge and utilization of agricultural products, particularly those stored for extended periods.

What is the implication, and what should change now?

The study's findings suggest several implications for agricultural extension programs. Firstly, there is a need to further strengthen extension activities to ensure that farmers receive timely and relevant information on farming practices and inputs. This could involve increasing the number of extension workers or providing them with additional training to enhance their effectiveness. Secondly, there should be a focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices that maximize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact.

Historically, the agricultural sector has played a very important role in the Indonesian economy, both as a source of growth, employment, and income and as a source of foreign exchange for the country. To find out whether our agricultural fundamentals are strong or not, there are at least three basic elements, namely farmers, land, and agricultural production growth. It must be admitted that success in the field of agricultural development to date has not been able to change the fact that the position of farmers is still lagging behind those engaged in agriculture.

Agriculture as a central point in rural development that aims to produce community welfare will not be achieved if agriculture is still conventional.  This means that farmers have not used the principles of modern agriculture, due to the limited knowledge they have. For this reason, it is necessary to strive to improve the ability of farmers through various approaches such as counseling guidance or education and training so that farmers are willing and able to change their farming methods and traditional ways/subsystems to better or modern ways.

Technological advances, especially in agriculture, today have contributed a lot of their role to progress in the world of agriculture.  However, these technological advances are still not enjoyed by farmers as a whole.  This happens because there are several obstacles, including the level of knowledge of farmers who are still relatively low and limited resources owned such as land, capital, and so on so there is still a gap between sources of information and technology (for example universities, research institutions) and technology targets (farmers).   In overcoming this gap, efforts are needed to bridge the two so that technology transfer runs smoothly, for example, the existence of Field Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL) [1].

Technical and managerial agricultural extension is carried out by an extension worker who has a function to provide education and information services needed by farmers so that farmers can farm better [2]. The role of agricultural extension workers is needed to guide farmers in improving farmers' skills so it is expected that farmers' adoption of agricultural technology is high so that it can increase farmers' production yields and improve the welfare of farmers and their families. The effectiveness of extension programs can be achieved if the main interests and needs of the community are prioritized and pay attention to existing resources. Agricultural extension workers in general have a strategic role as a bridge between the government, farmers, and external stakeholders.  Agricultural extension services are carried out jointly by the government through agricultural extension workers, and compatibility and equality of goals between farmers and the government must be clear so that all problems faced by farmers so far can be resolved. The success of the agricultural extension program is strongly influenced by the capacity of extension workers in carrying out their duties. Low extension capacity will have an impact on extension activities, especially on main actors and business actors as users of extension services [3]. An agricultural extension worker is expected to be able to compile a work plan and carry out extension services based on the target needs, namely farmers, the competence and performance of a good extension worker are needed to achieve the objectives of the extension program [4]. According to Rahmawati et al. (2019) [2], good agricultural extension worker performance will have an impact on improving farmers' performance in managing their farms so that they can increase agricultural production. This study aims to analyze the role of agricultural extension workers on the welfare of farmers in Krembangan Village, Taman District, Sidoarjo Regency

This research method includes population and sample determination, research instruments, and data collection techniques, as well as data analysis techniques which are ways or methods used in carrying out research. The population in this study is members of the Family Welfare Development (PKK) from Krembangan Village, Taman District, Sidoarjo Regency. The number of samples in this study was 50 people.  The data collection method is one aspect that plays an important role in the smooth and successful success of a study. In this study, the data collection used was as follows:

1. Questionnaire

This study used questionnaires or questionnaires, and the list of questions was made in a structured manner in the form of statements. This method is used to obtain data on the facts that happened to the respondent

1. Documentation Method

The documentation method is a complement to the use of observation and interview methods, where this method looks for data on matters in the form of notes, books, transcripts, newspapers, and photos of activities.

In this study, the instruments used to collect data were statements in the form of questionnaires consisting of 25 statement items, namely: 

1. List of statements to obtain data related to the contribution of extension workers as communicators totaling 5 statements, including guidance to farmers, extension workers' knowledge of commodities, extension services have technical and practical skills, and the level of communication to farmers

2. The list of statements related to extension workers' efforts to increase productivity amounts to 5 statements, including efforts to obtain capital, cooperation with other farmer groups, helping extension workers to gain access to the agricultural office, lending capital, and marketing production products

3. A list of statements regarding the role of extension workers as educators totaling 5 statements, including counseling programs, problem-solving, how to choose a good study program, facilitators of counseling forums, and providing information on marketing products 

4. There are 5 statements regarding the role of extension workers as innovators, including agricultural technology, modern farming methods, calculations for planning, innovation in developing farmer groups, and extension workers providing suggestions to increase agricultural production

5. A list of statements regarding the role of extension workers in developing farmer groups, including extension workers managing the duties of each member of the farmer group, meetings held periodically, processing farmers well, extension workers are complementing the needs of farmer groups and extension workers becoming good intermediaries.

This research uses primary data sources, namely research data sources obtained directly from the original source. In this case, the primary data is in the form of the results of filling out questionnaires by members of the Krembangan Village PKK.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Communicators

Table 1. The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Communicators

Source: data primer, 2023

Agricultural extension workers as communicators are reflected by communicating with farmers. This communication can be done with individuals (interpersonal communication) and group communication. The role of extension workers as communicators is as a person whose job is to convey messages. Extension workers as communicators play a role in assisting farmers in making decisions on the problems they experience, accelerating the flow of information, and helping to improve farmers' skills. In their duties as communicators, extension workers must have the ability to master the listener and master the material to be delivered. Four factors at the source can improve communication accuracy, namely: communication skills, mental attitudes, level of knowledge, and position in the sociocultural system [5].

In the statement, extension workers were able to communicate well with farmers, a score of 88.5% was obtained. In the statement, extension workers were able to guide farmers well; a score of 86.2% was obtained. In the statement of the extension worker, he conveyed the importance of joining farmer groups, and a score of 86.9% was obtained. In the statement that extension workers have minimal knowledge related to the cultivation of a commodity, a score of 30% is obtained. In the statement, the Extension Officer has the technical knowledge and good practices when conducting counseling, a score of 86.9% was obtained. 

Based on the overall extension activities, it resulted in a total perception index score of 75.7% with an affirmative interpretation. Based on the results of these scores, it was found that the role of extension workers as communicators became successful for farmers. Extension workers are considered to be communicators in conveying information and knowledge from the extension activities carried out. 

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Increasing Productivity

Table 2. The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Increasing Productivity

Source: data primer, 2023

Agricultural extension is an aspect of education that concerns productivity to marketing agricultural products. Agricultural extension is also a non-formal education provided by agricultural extension workers to farmers [6]. In the statement of extension workers helping farmers to get capital, a score of 86.2% was obtained. In the statement of extension workers helping farmers to cooperate with other farmer groups, a score of 85.4% was obtained. In the statement of extension workers helping farmer groups to gain access to the local agriculture office, a score of 84.6% was obtained. In the statement of extension workers helping farmer groups to make capital loans in local institutions (banks and cooperatives), a score of 85.4% was obtained. In the statement of extension workers helping farmers to market their products, a score of 86.9% was obtained.

Based on the overall counseling activities, it resulted in a total perception index score of 85.7% with a very agreeable interpretation. Based on the results of the score, it was found that the role of extension workers in increasing farmer productivity. Extension workers are considered to be able to increase agricultural productivity by optimizing agricultural output by conveying information to farmers.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Educators

Table 3. The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Educators

Source: data primer, 2023

The role of agricultural extension workers as educators can be interpreted as the ability of extension workers to educate farmers. The role of extension workers or PPL as educators are to teach farmers about how to prune plant shapes, integrated pest control, and how to fertilize plants, and teach about post-harvest handling. In extension activities, educators use various indicators such as extension, and workers increase farmers' knowledge and skills of new ideas for farm development. Extension workers here play a very important role in providing new knowledge about agriculture [7].

In the statement that the existence of an extension program can increase the insight and knowledge of farmers, a score of 86.2% was obtained. In the statement that extension workers can help farmers to solve a problem, a score of 86.2% was obtained. In the statement of the extension officer demonstrating how to choose a good study program (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) a score of 86.2% was obtained. In the statement facilitating extension forums such as information kites, consultations, and training, a score of 87.7% was obtained. In the statement of the extension worker providing information on how to market the production results, a score of 86.2% was obtained.

Based on the overall counseling activities, it resulted in a total perception index score of 86.5% with a very agreeable interpretation. Based on the results of these scores, it was found that the role of extension workers as educators became successful for farmers. Extension workers are considered to be educators in conveying information from the extension activities carried out.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Motivators

Table 4. The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Motivators

Source: data primer, 2023

According to Faqih (2016) [8], the role of agricultural extension workers as motivators in the performance of farmer groups is a task that agricultural extension workers are expected to carry out in raising farmers' enthusiasm and influencing farmers to be moved to participate in agricultural activities. To determine the level of the role of agricultural extension workers as motivators, it can be seen from the contribution that agricultural extension workers have made to farmers in an effort to provide encouragement and enthusiasm to participate in farmer group activities. Forms of motivation such as assisting farmers in directing more effective and efficient farming so as to get maximum productivity results, encouraging farmers to develop farming such as processing crops to increase selling value and farmer income, and encouraging farmers to apply technology in farming such as the use of machines and social media platforms for product promotion and commodity product development.

The role of agricultural extension workers as motivators in the performance of farmer groups in Suranenggala District is in the high category, stated by 87.4% of respondents. The role of agricultural extension workers as motivators in this high category means that agricultural extension workers have carried out all actions that can motivate farmers to participate in the performance of farmer groups in accordance with existing criteria.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Developing Farmer Groups and PKK Mothers

Table 5. The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Developing Farmer Groups and PKK Mothers

Source: data primer, 2023

After knowing the perception index score and interpretation of the role of extension workers as communicators, productivity, educators, and motivators, the next step is to carry out the role of agricultural extension in developing farmer groups and PKK mothers. The purpose of conducting the recapitulation itself aims to determine all indicators related to farmers' perceptions of the role of agricultural extension workers [9].

Based on the overall extension activities, it resulted in a total perception index score of 87% with a very agreeable interpretation. Based on the results of these scores, it was found that the role of extension workers in developing Farmer Groups and PKK Mothers was successful for farmers. Extension workers are considered to be communicators, productive, educators, and motivators in conveying information and knowledge from the extension activities carried out. The description of the indicators of the role of agricultural extension workers above, it shows that the role of field agricultural extension workers in Krembangan District has played a role in the performance of farmer groups. This can be seen from the high average index score that our group obtained from the questionnaire that has been made.

In this study, there are 5 indicators on the questionnaire distributed to PKK members of Krembangan Village, Taman District, Sidoarjo Regency, as follows: 

The Role of extension workers as Communicators 

Based on the statement on this indicator, it is stated that the total perception index score is 75.7% with an affirmative interpretation. The score achieved is still not high but it can be said that extension workers are able to convey information and can communicate well. 

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Increasing Productivity

Based on the statements obtained in this indicator resulted in a total perception index score of 85.7% with a very agreeable interpretation. With this score quite high, it can be concluded that extension workers are able to play an active role in efforts to increase the productivity of farmers in Krembangan Village.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Educators

Based on the statements that have been filled in by respondents resulted in a total perception index score of 86.5% with a very agreeable interpretation. The score obtained is quite high, so this states that extension workers can be good educators of farmers.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers as Motivators

Based on the calculated statements, the total perception index score is 87.4%. The score obtained is quite high. That way, extension workers are stated to be able to motivate farmers to participate with the farmer groups they participate in and can also work together with other farmer group members.

The Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in developing Farmer Groups and PKK Mothers

Based on the calculation results of the statements filled in by the response, it resulted in a total perception index score of 87% with a very agreeable interpretation. In this category, a fairly high score was obtained, so it was stated that agricultural extension workers were able to develop farmer groups and PKK mothers by holding programs that supported the performance of farmers and their families.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding: No funding sources 

Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of University on Pembangunan Naisonal

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