Farmers Learning to Improve Knowledge and Skills on Good Agricultural Practices
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Abstract
The participatory action research (PAR) using a farmer field school (FFS) project aimed to develop farmer’s knowledge and skills on conventional rice practices according to good agricultural practices (GAP) standards. Thirty conventional farmer households were interviewed on the factors affecting traditional production. Ten volunteers participated in the project to develop the farmer’s knowledge and skills on rice cultivation in accordance with GAP standards. Data were collected by assessing farmers’ knowledge and practices, the ecology of paddy and farmers’ practices based on the GAP-02 form, using an observation method. The results showed, the traditional rice cultivation used a high amount of seeds per area without soil fertility management, and used chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Farmers who had participated in the FFS project had their knowledge and practice skills increased by 7.24% and 26.70%, respectively. They were adapted to the GAP standard consisting of plantation area, application of pesticides, quality management in pre-harvest production, harvesting and post-harvest practices, and recording and record keeping. Water resources and transportation storage, and product collection were satisfactory under the conventional rice practices.
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