This study aims to examine the role of field agricultural extension workers in the development of agricultural programs in Kebumen Village, Baturraden district, Banyumas Regency. It also seeks to identify the challenges faced during the extension activities and the solutions provided for each challenge. The research method employed is field study with a quantitative approach. For analyzing the role of agricultural extension workers, a quantitative descriptive method was used with a Likert scale, while the challenges and solutions were analyzed using quantitative descriptive methods with percentages.
The results show that the extension workers in Kebumen Village implemented two programs: seed breeding, which ran from December 2022 to August 2023, and integrated crop management, which ran from November 2021 to February 2022. The roles of the extension workers are divided into four variables: motivator, innovator, facilitator, and communicator. Each role was evaluated, with the extension workers scoring 334 as motivators, 317 as innovators, 305 as facilitators, and 358 as communicators, resulting in an average score of 328.5.
The external challenges identified include transportation and distance to the extension site, scheduling conflicts with farmers' activities, lack of storage facilities, and difficulties in the interpretation of the extension material. Internal challenges include the age of farmers (elderly), small land areas, technological illiteracy, low enthusiasm for extension activities, and lack of cohesion among the management and members.