Peran Penyuluh Pertanian Lapangan Terhadap Pengembangan Kelomoktani Desa Pajeng Kecamatan Gondang Kabupaten Bojonegoro

This study aims to determine the level of agricultural extension workers’ roles in the development of farmer groups in Pajeng Village, Gondang Subdistrict, as well as to examine the relationship between the role of agricultural extension workers and farmer group development in the same area. The background of the study is based on the importance of agricultural extension workers in supporting the empowerment and development of farmer groups, particularly in Pajeng Village, which still faces several challenges such as low farmer participation, inactive farmer groups, and the suboptimal role of extension workers in delivering information, technology, and motivation to farmers. The research method used is a quantitative approach with descriptive techniques and Spearman Rank correlation analysis. The total population consists of 862 farmers, and a sample of 90 respondents was obtained using the Taro Yamane formula. Data were collected through questionnaires covering indicators of the extension workers’ roles as facilitators, innovators, motivators, dynamizers, and educators. The dependent variable in this study is farmer group development, measured through institutional aspects, member participation, access to technology, farm productivity, and farmer welfare. The results show that, in general, the role of extension workers falls into the high category, particularly in the aspects of facilitator, innovator, motivator, and dynamizer, which have a significant relationship with farmer group development. However, the role as an educator shows a very weak and insignificant correlation. This indicates that although extension workers have performed various important functions, there is still a need to strengthen their educational role so they can better facilitate sustainable learning processes for farmers. The implications of this study highlight the importance of improving the capacity and professionalism of agricultural extension workers, especially in providing training, counseling, and education tailored to farmers’ needs. Supportive policies and more adaptive training programs are needed to enable extension workers to more effectively bridge technological and social changes in the agricultural sector. This study also offers valuable insights for relevant institutions in formulating more participatory and sustainable strategies for empowering farmer groups.