Vanilla Production System and Agricultural Extension Needs of Farmers in Bali, Indonesia

บทคัดย่อ

Vanilla production in Indonesia has consistently fluctuated, with a downward trend in recent years. This study aims to identify key issues in the vanilla production system and assess farmers' needs for agricultural extension services to improve cultivation sustainability. The study was conducted in Jembrana Regency, Bali, from July to September 2024, involving 93 farmers selected from a population of 1,322 using the Taro Yamane method. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

The results showed that 77.42% of farmers had never received extension visits, a concern because frequent contact with extension workers would strengthen cultivation practices and help farmers address issues such as low mean planting preparation scores, with the majority below 2.50 on a predetermined scale. The majority of farmers reported a lack of training in modern cultivation techniques. Most farmers relied on traditional practices for land preparation, maintenance, and post-harvest handling, resulting in low productivity and product quality. The most pressing needs identified were technical training, pest and disease control, and marketing support for value-added products, with the majority of needs scores above 2.49 and even exceeding 3.49, indicating a high level of needs. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening agricultural extension programs, with a focus on practical, market-oriented training, to enhance farmer capacity and improve the sustainability and competitiveness of vanilla production systems in Bali, Indonesia.  These findings underscore the impact of socio-demographic factors on agricultural awareness and recommend curriculum enhancements incorporating hands-on agricultural experiences.

Keywords:    vanilla farming, modern cultivation farming, agrotourism, economic