Participatory Extension as an Effort to Change Farmers’ Behavior in the Implementation of Organic Farming at Kartika Group Farmers Oenbit Village Insana Subdistrict Timor Tengah Utara Regency

Abstract

Agricultural practices in the dryland areas of Timor Tengah Utara Regency (TTU) remain dominated by conventional systems reliant on chemical inputs, contributing to soil degradation and low ecological awareness. The gap between extension services and the adoption of organic farming highlights the need for participatory approaches. This Kosabangsa Community Service (PKM) activity aims to enhance farmers’ capacity through participatory extension. Methods include awareness sessions, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), training, field practice, and pre- and post-test evaluations analyzed using comparative quantitative methods. Results show significant improvements in knowledge (48.5%), technical skills in block compost production (56.2%), and ecological awareness (52.3%). These findings confirm that participatory approaches effectively promote behavioral change toward organic farming. In addition to improving individual capacity, this activity strengthens farmer group institutions. Scientifically, this study contributes to adaptive participatory extension models in dryland border areas and supports SDGs and university performance indicators globally.