Factors influencing the role and performance of independent agricultural extension workers in supporting agricultural extension

Abstract Extension activities play a significant role in the success of agricultural development programs. Farmers still need agricultural extension workers (EWs) in the form of assistance, technical guidance, and management intensively and continuously. With the limited number of government EWs, the role of independent agricultural extension (IAE) workers has become crucial. In Indonesia, IAE worker has been recognized since 2006, although it has not been effective. This article aims to: (1) identify conditions and characteristics of IAE and (2) analyze the influencing factors on the role of IAE officers in supporting agricultural extension. Data collection was carried out with a structured questionnaire using Google Forms involving 161 respondents. The analysis method uses inferential statistics, namely the structural equation modeling. The results showed that the factors that directly affect the role of IAE workers are work motivation and quantity or workload. The number of IAE workers directly influences their performance. A favorable working environment is required to achieve the ideal role of IAE workers. In addition, improvement of work management, horizontal and vertical relations, and regulations posit IAE workers as an essential part of agricultural extension activities. It is necessary to have a regional regulation that legalizes the allocation of regional budgets as regular incentives to facilitate the activities of agricultural EWs.