The Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program (PKP), Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM, in collaboration with the University of Passau, held a Collaborative Research Workshop at Hotel Santika Premiere Jogja on February 19, 2025.
The event, which took place from 08:00 to 16:00 WIB, was attended by various stakeholders, including research teams from UGM and the University of Passau, the Dean of UGM’s Graduate School, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, as well as representatives from UPTD BPSDMP DIY, agricultural offices across DIY, Polbangtan, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, agricultural extension officers, and millennial farmers in DIY.
The Coordinator of the Research Team from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Alia Bihrajihant Raya, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., stated that the purpose of this workshop was to introduce Lentera Desa to agricultural extension officers and millennial farmers in DIY.
“The goal is to introduce Lentera Desa to agricultural extension officers and millennial farmers in DIY to facilitate the development of agricultural extension and communication knowledge,” said Alia when interviewed by the media team of the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, UGM, at the venue.
This workshop featured four key sessions relevant to the development of millennial farmers and agricultural extension officers, namely:
- The Urgency of Digitalization for Millennial Farmers and Agricultural Extension Officers, by Dr. Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras, M.Th. (Lecturer at UGM Graduate School).
- Implementation of Offline and Online Training to Enhance the Knowledge of Millennial Farmers and Extension Officers, by Shofyan Adi Cahyono, S.P. (Owner of Sayur Organik Merbabu).
- Agribusiness Management, by Prof. Dr. Jamhari, S.P., M.P. (Professor at the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, UGM).
- Farmers’ Readiness for Agricultural Innovation Adoption, by Dr. Anita Windrati, S.P., M.M.A. (Head of UPTD BPSDMP DIY).
In addition to the material presentations, the workshop also included a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the current development of millennial farmers and agricultural extension officers in DIY.
Andiko Eko Parmono, Head of UPTD Agricultural Extension Implementation Center of the Food Security and Agriculture Office of Bantul Regency, expressed his appreciation for the workshop.
“It’s great that we can learn from many speakers about digital communication with farmers and institutional management of agricultural extension officers,” he stated at the event.
He also hopes that the Lentera Desa program, which has been initiated, can be effectively directed towards farmers and fully implemented.
Shofyan Adi Cahyono, S.P., owner of Sayur Organik Merbabu, shared similar sentiments. He emphasized that this workshop provided valuable insights and support for millennial farmers and agricultural extension officers in DIY.
“Thank you to UGM for inviting us to share our experiences. This is also the right moment because millennial farmers need support and access to valid and relevant information regarding the current agricultural development. Lentera Desa is one solution that can fulfill farmers’ future needs for relevant information access,” he stated.
Furthermore, he hopes that Lentera Desa content will be more diverse and meet the future needs of farmers.
With this workshop, it is expected that the synergy between academics, extension officers, and millennial farmers will strengthen in addressing modern agricultural challenges, particularly in the era of digitalization and agribusiness innovation.
This workshop also supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger, by enhancing millennial farmers’ capacity to adopt agricultural innovation and agribusiness management.
- SDG 4: Quality Education, through digital-based extension and training to improve the knowledge of extension officers and farmers.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting digitalization and innovation in agribusiness to improve farmers’ welfare.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the introduction of the Lentera Desa platform as a digital innovation tool for farmers and extension officers.
Writer: Muhammad Hanan Jamil P.J
Admin of the Website of the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM