Determinants Factors of Agricultural Extension Services Performance and Impacts on Farmers' Behavior

Abstract

Agricultural extension plays an important role in improving the quality of human resources, also it function as a learning process for the main actors so that farmer will be able to help and organize themselves in accessing market information, technology, capital and other resources. Problem that arise among stakeholders have been widely debated.  Since then, determinant factor of Agricultural Extension Services (BPP) performance should be identified and how it will impact on farmers behaviour. There is a strong assumption that, BPP performance will affect agricultural development, but it is very difficult to determine by factors. The research objectives were to analyze determinants of BPP performance and impact on farmers behaviour. This research was conducted in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia by selecting 109 BPP based on Slovin Method. The analysis analized with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using LISREL software. The results showed that development of  BPP; management BPP, human resources, assisted farmers, resource of BPP, adaptation of BPP are positively affect Action Program of BPP. In addition, these determinants affect farmers behaviour in terms of farmers competency and participation through indirectly action program. This leads to argue that in order to improve farmers behaviour (improving competency and participation), it is needed to step up performance of BPP (making action program properly, in other words) through extension program improvement, groups activity plan and operational cost management.