Farmer field school: Non-formal education to enhance livelihoods of Indonesian farmer communities

ABSTRACT

The Indonesian agricultural sector provides a high proportion of employment for the rural community. However, the farmers’ livelihood is relatively low. Sending the farmers to non-formal education will enhance the livelihood of the community. In this study, we analyze the impact of farmer field school on Indonesia’s rural community livelihoods. Data were collected using a participatory approach from 270 farmer groups that completed farmer field school in Sumatra, Java, and Bali. The results show that the farmer field school generated positive impacts on five capitals. Farmers realized the benefits of participating in the field school. They could increase farming efficiency by applying technology innovations, knowledge, and skills obtained from the field school. Farmer livelihoods in the community have been substantially enhanced.

KEYWORDS:

• Empowerment of human resources
• livelihood capitals
• rural community
• sustainable livelihood framework
• vegetable farming

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the farmers in all surveyed regions who generously gave their time to provide information on crop production practices, and facilitators who patiently and seriously collected and compiled data. The authors also appreciate two anonymous reviewers and editors who provided valuable feedback and suggestions. The authors acknowledge donors: ACIAR and USAID-Indonesia for the grant support for implementation of the project activities in Indonesia; and collaborating institutions: The World Vegetable Center, Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Bogor Agricultural University, Udayana University, Pancasakti Tegal University and AIAT of Aceh, Central Java, East Java and Bali. The authors are responsible for all contents, interpretation and shortcomings.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.