Coordination Of Agricultural Counseling In The Context Of The Delivery Of Material And Use Of Counseling Media In Asahan Regency (Case Study: BPP Sentang, Air Joman District, Kisaran Barat And East Kisaran, BPP B.P. Mandoge, B.P. Mandoge And BPP Durian District, Medang Deras District, Asahan Regency)
Agricultural counseling plays a vital role in increasing agricultural productivity and improving farmers' welfare. In Asahan Regency, a study conducted between June and August 2003 aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural extension coordination, particularly in delivering materials and using counseling media. This research focuses on five districts: Air Joman, Kisaran Barat, East Kisaran, B.P. Mandoge, and Medang Deras, where each district has an Agricultural Extension Center (BPP) that varies from the Agricultural Extension Information Center (BIPP).
Research Objectives and Methodology
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of coordination of agricultural extension in Asahan Regency. Using the purposive sampling method, five selected sub-districts were identified based on their accessibility to BIPP, providing a comprehensive picture of the implementation of counseling coordination. Each BPP in the sub-district became a research subject to collect relevant data.
Research Design and Data Collection
The research design employed a case study approach, focusing on five districts in Asahan Regency. Data collection involved both qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews, and observations. The survey was conducted among farmers and extension workers, while interviews were held with key informants, including BPP staff and BIPP officials. Observations were made at the BPP and BIPP centers to gather information on the implementation of counseling coordination.
Research Findings
The results of the study show that the implementation of agricultural extension coordination in the delivery of material and use of counseling media in Asahan Regency is at a medium level. This indicates that although there are efforts made to increase counseling, there are still challenges that must be overcome to improve the coordination.
Analysis and Explanation
The moderate level of coordination can be interpreted as an indicator that there are several aspects that function well, but there is also a lot of space for improvement. One crucial aspect that can encourage the effectiveness of counseling is the use of appropriate counseling media. In the current digital era, the use of information technology to deliver counseling material to farmers has become increasingly crucial.
The Role of Counseling Media in Agricultural Extension
The use of diverse counseling media, such as video, mobile applications, and interactive materials, can help increase farmers' understanding of modern agricultural techniques. In addition, the existence of training for extension workers to be more proficient in using this technology can be a strategic step to improve the quality of counseling.
Management Perspective: Coordination between BPP and BIPP
From a management point of view, better coordination between BPP and BIPP is also needed. Increasing communication and integration between information and counseling centers in the field can help ensure that the information conveyed is relevant and timely.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Overall, although the results of the study show that the implementation of the coordination of agricultural extension in Asahan Regency is at a medium level, the potential for significant improvement must be a focus for counseling managers. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of counseling coordination, diversification of media use, and training for extension workers will have a positive impact on improving the quality of agriculture in the region.
Policy Implications
It is hoped that the results of this study can be taken into consideration for policy making in the development of the agricultural sector in Asahan Regency. The findings of this study can inform the development of strategies to improve agricultural extension coordination, counseling media, and extension worker training, ultimately contributing to the improvement of agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare in the region.
Future Research Directions
Future research can build on the findings of this study by exploring the impact of counseling media on farmers' understanding of modern agricultural techniques. Additionally, research can focus on the development of effective strategies for improving coordination between BPP and BIPP, as well as the training needs of extension workers in using information technology for counseling.
Limitations of the Study
This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the limited scope of the research. Future research can address these limitations by conducting a larger-scale study that includes more districts and a broader range of stakeholders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the implementation of agricultural extension coordination in Asahan Regency. The findings highlight the need for improvement in counseling coordination, counseling media, and extension worker training. By addressing these challenges, counseling managers can contribute to the improvement of agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare in the region.
This article aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions about the coordination of agricultural counseling in Asahan Regency, based on the case study conducted between June and August 2003.
Q: What is the main objective of the study?
A: The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of coordination of agricultural extension in Asahan Regency, particularly in delivering materials and using counseling media.
Q: Which districts were included in the study?
A: The study focused on five districts in Asahan Regency: Air Joman, Kisaran Barat, East Kisaran, B.P. Mandoge, and Medang Deras.
Q: What is the current level of coordination of agricultural extension in Asahan Regency?
A: The results of the study show that the implementation of agricultural extension coordination in the delivery of material and use of counseling media in Asahan Regency is at a medium level.
Q: What are the challenges that must be overcome to improve the coordination of agricultural extension?
A: The study highlights the need for improvement in counseling coordination, counseling media, and extension worker training.
Q: How can the use of counseling media be improved?
A: The use of diverse counseling media, such as video, mobile applications, and interactive materials, can help increase farmers' understanding of modern agricultural techniques.
Q: What is the role of training for extension workers in improving the quality of counseling?
A: The existence of training for extension workers to be more proficient in using information technology can be a strategic step to improve the quality of counseling.
Q: How can better coordination between BPP and BIPP be achieved?
A: Increasing communication and integration between information and counseling centers in the field can help ensure that the information conveyed is relevant and timely.
Q: What are the policy implications of the study?
A: The findings of this study can inform the development of strategies to improve agricultural extension coordination, counseling media, and extension worker training, ultimately contributing to the improvement of agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare in the region.
Q: What are the future research directions based on the study?
A: Future research can build on the findings of this study by exploring the impact of counseling media on farmers' understanding of modern agricultural techniques, as well as the development of effective strategies for improving coordination between BPP and BIPP.
Q: What are the limitations of the study?
A: The study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the limited scope of the research.
Q: What are the conclusions of the study?
A: The study provides valuable insights into the implementation of agricultural extension coordination in Asahan Regency, highlighting the need for improvement in counseling coordination, counseling media, and extension worker training.
Q: What are the recommendations of the study?
A: The study recommends efforts to increase the effectiveness of counseling coordination, diversification of media use, and training for extension workers to improve the quality of agriculture in the region.
Q: What is the significance of the study?
A: The study is significant because it provides a comprehensive understanding of the implementation of agricultural extension coordination in Asahan Regency, which can inform policy making and decision-making in the development of the agricultural sector in the region.