Feedback Sessions Online Training for Extension Workers in West Java

Feedback Sessions Online Training for Extension Workers in West Java held on July 4, 2024 (Empowering female farmer groups to enhance income-generating activities) and Dialogues held Virtually on Feb 12, 2025). This meeting included a feedback session on empowering female farmer groups through capacity development via online training for extension workers held on July 4, 2024. Representatives from various sectors participated in the feedback sessions. The discussion addressed the partnership between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and FEMA IPB University, the outcomes of participatory activities involving farmer groups, and the significance of online training in rural areas. The conversation ended with a discussion on the economic value of business activities, notably agriculture, and recognized three extension workers who demonstrated exceptional performance in applying the extension methods discussed through online training on July 4, 2024.

The implementation of extension services that utilize participatory and gender-responsive approaches with farmer groups should be expanded. This includes support for farmer groups in developing business plans and new product ideas. Extension workers must enhance coordination and collaboration with stakeholders to empower these groups. The IPB University and UIUC team is creating short and straightforward educational video materials on agricultural extension topics that can be easily shared and viewed by extension workers and farmer group members. Additionally, the IPB University team is exploring the development of an online platform to promote and market products from the trained farmer groups. The Ministry of Agriculture is considering the integration of online training as part of its capacity-building programs for extension workers.

Extension workers should organize group viewing sessions for online training videos with farmer groups. IPB University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign could develop follow-up online training modules on new topics requested by agricultural extension workers. Extension workers should continuously monitor and report on the economic impact of activities or productive economic enterprises developed by farmer groups. The Ministry of Agriculture and/or Regional Governments have opportunities to support efforts in improving processing equipment for productive farmer groups.

1. Meeting Summary

Empowering Women Farmers Through Training Initial Feedback Session Ms. Henny Sulistyorini (Master of Ceremony) welcomed all attendees. It introduced representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of SKPM at IPB University, and representatives from the Embassy in Indonesia. The team conducted a feedback session on empowering women farmer groups through capacity development via online extension services. Mr. Muhammad Jono led a prayer, followed Mr. Rafnel Azhari played a video documentation of the activity. Participants expressed their gratitude for the training and its benefits in their work. The Director of Polytechnic of Agricultural Development (Polbangtan) Bogor attended on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and 50 extension workers from Karawang, Subang, Bogor City, and Purwakarta Regency. The national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” was played.   Dr. Siti Amanah, the Coordinator of the Research Cooperation Project between FEMA IPB and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delivered an introductory speech and officially opened the event.

Partnerships and Agricultural Empowerment Siti Amanah briefly explained the collaboration between UIUC and IPB, which was formalized through an MoU signed in 2022. She highlighted research on empowering smallholder women farmers and training programs involving 51 agricultural extension workers across four modules. She also mentioned collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the involvement of doctoral students in the Agricultural and Rural Development Communication/Extension Program. She emphasized the importance of gender sensitivity in extension services and the potential of women in agriculture. Dr. Anna Snider from UIUC presented the results of a pilot project to increase the income potential of female-led farmer groups. The project engaged 50 extension workers and 100 women-led farmer groups, with 76% of extension workers reporting that women-led groups initiated new activities due to the training. Dr. Yoyon Haryanto, Director of Polbangtan Bogor, appreciated the study activities and their impact on women farmer groups.

Strategies for Food Self-Sufficiency Growth The Ministry of Agriculture focused on several key strategies to support food self-sufficiency and economic growth. These included enhancing farmer competencies, mentoring, and farmer regeneration. The Ministry launched initiatives such as the Food Brigade program, which involves 15 millennial farmers managing 200 hectares with modern agricultural equipment. Additionally, it promoted precision agriculture, farmer regeneration, and youth agriculture entrepreneurship through various educational and training programs. The Ministry also manages the 37,000 agricultural extension workers to standardize competencies and improve service delivery across regions.

• Achievements and Future Plans

The group discussed their achievements and future plans. Participants highlighted accomplishments such as developing new products like sauces, improving packaging and branding, and expanding market networks. They also shared their most memorable training materials, with many citing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and participatory gender approaches. For the upcoming year, the group set targets, including developing business plans, entering new markets like supermarkets, and increasing product sales by over 70%. 

Before the sharing session from extension workers participating in the online training, a quiz session (simple game) facilitated by Mr. Arga Armadhani emphasized extension innovations implemented over the past six months, online training materials applied in the fields, and activity plans for 2025.

Dr. Adi Firmansyah, a researcher from CARE IPB and a community development practitioner, moderated the feedback session. It began with Ms. Ida Widya Utami, an extension worker from Karawang Regency, presenting extension programs conducted after online training focused on rice, horticulture, and plantation commodities. She emphasized the crucial role of farmers and their spouses in the agricultural sector. The discussion concluded with Ida presenting the outcomes of the online training conducted by the IPB team, highlighting the benefits of participatory extension approaches and the potential for business growth.

Problem-Solving by Farmer Groups  Mr. Agus Faisal (Bogor City) discussed the outcomes of participatory activities with farmer groups. Women’s farmer groups identified five main issues: disorganized vegetable gardens, inadequate garden maintenance, limited capital, low chili prices, and poor access to the village. Proposed solutions included reorganizing garden layouts, seeking assistance for vegetable seeds, engaging in reciprocal cooperation, developing new products (such as nutmeg and chili sauce), and improving village roads. Men’s farmer groups identified similar issues, proposing solutions like repairing greenhouses, obtaining seed support, enhancing land management, securing capital, and improving access to the village. Agus also highlighted the importance of social mapping, ranking solutions, and creating seasonal calendars for agricultural activities.

Cassava Business and Agricultural Training During the meeting, Mr. Agus Faisal discussed managing a farmer group and developing the cassava business. Mr. Nana Sumarna shared his experiences with training activities, emphasizing product development and gender integration in agricultural extension. Mr. Sigit Nugraha from Subang Regency also shared his insights on women farmer groups, highlighting their activities and new product development. The discussion concluded with reflections on training effectiveness and suggestions for future improvements.

• Enhancing Online Training for Food Security

The moderator led discussions highlighting the need for more effective online training programs to support food security and the mission of women farmer groups (KWT). Mr. Nana Sumarna (Purwakarta) suggested utilizing existing training materials to enhance online training, while Ida proposed more sustainable and innovative business ideas. Mr. Agus Faisal shared his online training experiences in Bogor, stressing the importance of reminders and accountability. Mr. Saeful Hadi from Subang recommended employing digital technology for training and organizing group YouTube viewing sessions. The team agreed to explore these ideas further and consider their implementation in their respective areas.

Economic Value of Business Activities

Dr. Adi Firmansyah stimulated the sharing session by addressing the economic value of business activities, particularly in agriculture. Participants shared their experiences and insights, with Mr. Muhammad emphasizing the importance of income generation for farmers. Ms. Ida W. Utami discussed the increase in sales revenue and income in Karawang due to KWT’s support. KWT stands for Kelompok Wanita Tani (female-farmer group in English). The team also explored the potential of online platforms, such as YouTube, for content delivery and the need for controlled media.

• Appreciation of the Achievements of Exceptional Extension Workers.

Ms. Siti Syamsiah presented a draft summary of the feedback sessions, emphasizing their communication with other sectors and introducing new initiatives to boost income. She also highlighted training programs aimed at enhancing online extension capacities, the significance of pluralistic extension, and the importance of public-private partnerships. The research assistants’ team appreciated the feedback session, noting the participants’ dedication to implementing what they learned in the field. Ms. Henny Sulistyorini announced awards for three extension workers for their exceptional contributions. The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Siti Amanah, expressing gratitude to everyone for their participation and encouraging further collaboration.

• Recommendations
• This program supports 50 extension workers with the right methods and helps 100 female’s farmer groups (KWT) which aims to increase the income of female farmers through productive business.
• The online training activities of extension workers to empower female farmer groups have been successfully implemented with the following achievements:

• 76% of extension workers have communicated with parties from other sectors to support the female farmer groups they are mentoring.
• 64% of extension workers collaborate with other sectors in supporting the female farmer groups they are mentoring.
• 76% of female farmer groups have started new activities to increase income.
• 68% of extension workers who participated in the training have helped create business plans for their mentored farmer groups
• Online capacity building training for extension workers is a potential program that can be used as a policy to improve the capacity of extension workers throughout Indonesia.
• Through online training, the capacity of extension workers can be increased and the impact can be increased through:Farmer groups become nutrition ambassadors.Extension workers guide other extension workers.Farmer groups guide other farmer groups.Improve accounting or financial skills for farmer groups
• Organizing online training continuously
• Organizing online training that can be enjoyed in free time.
• Creating a simple online extension management system for extension workers. (equipped with modules)
• Creating materials in the form of short videos that can be watched at any time.
• Technically, if online extension is carried out directly to farmers, it still needs to be accompanied by an extension worker, for example by watching/zooming together accompanied by an extension worker;
• There needs to be a more structured/systematic evaluation of the online extension, both in terms of knowledge and skills, in accordance with the intended extension objectives. Evaluation can be carried out by the accompanying extension worker.
• The regional and central governments appreciate online training for extension workers.
• The Ministry of Agriculture is currently implementing an extension transformation in terms of manpower (in progress).
• Policy harmonization is being synchronized between institutions, both central and regional.
• Support from extension workers and related parties is very important.
• Programs that are in line with the asta cita (RPJMM 2025-2045) which are the duties and functions of the Ministry of Agriculture and related agencies, including farmer empowerment through the role of extension workers will be greatly supported towards sustainable food security.
• At the local level, the intensity of extension worker assistance to fostered groups needs to be improved in quality and quantity because without assistance it is difficult for the community to gain motivation to develop other social aspects of the business
• Multi-party partnerships (pluralistic extension) are things that need to be developed