The Role of Farmer to Farmer Extension for Rice Farmer Independence in Bogor

Farmer to farmer extension has considerable potential role in growing rice farmer independence because it has a strong social capital. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of farmer to farmer extensionin improving rice farmer independence, analyze the factors that influence the farmer perception on the role of farmer to farmer extension and formulate strategies to strengthen the role of farmer to farmer extension to be more involved in counseling activities. The design of this study was a survey of 75 respondents representing rice farmers which become self-help agricultural extension. Data collection was conducted from September to November 2016. Data processing used descriptive technique and Path Analysis. Based on the study result, it concludes that overall, the role of farmer to farmer extensionin medium category is to enhance rice farmer independence in Pasir Madang Village, Sukajaya Subdistrict, Bogor. Factors which have a strong influence on the implementation to the role of farmer to farmer extensionin increasing rice farmer independence of the internal characteristic of the farmer to farmer extension itself, that is the position in the farmer community groups, counseling, ability to communicate/counsel, ability to motivate and have a business in agriculture. Strategies to strengthen the role of farmer to farmer extension are conducted through capacity building in extension methodology.