THE ROLE OF FIELD AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICERS IN EMPOWERING MEMBERS OF “SARI MAKMUR” WOMEN FARMERS GROUP IN ALASMALANG VILLAGE, KEMRANJEN DISTRICT, BANYUMAS REGENCY
Keywords:
: field agricultural extension officers, empowerment, women farmers groupAbstract
Field Agricultural Extension Officers play a strategic role in enhancing the capacity and independence of farmer groups, including the Women Farmers Groups. This research aims to evaluate the role of Field Agricultural Extension Officers in empowering the members of the “Sari Makmur” Women Farmers Group in Alasmalang village, Kemranjen District, Banyumas Regency. A descriptive qualitative and quantitative approach was employed, using a census technique involving all 31 group members. The results indicated that the Field Agricultural Extension Officers played important roles as motivators, educators, diseminators, supervisors, and evaluators, with scores categorized as "functional.” However, their role as facilitators is still categorized as "less functional." These findings suggest that, in general, the Field Agricultural Extension Officers have performed their duties well, but there is a need to strengthen their role in facilitating access to business networks for Women Farmers Group members to optimize empowerment efforts.
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