Model of Farmer Empowerment in Organic Agriculture Technology Transfer (A Study on Rukun Makaryo Farmer Group, Mojogedang Sub-District, Karanganyar Regency)

The objectives of research are: (1) to identify the factors to the difficulty in inviting the farmers to implement organic farming technology transfer, (2) to construct the existing model of farmer empowerment executed by Rukun Makaryo farmer group, (3) to describe the impact of empowerment on other farmer groups, (4) to formulate the model of farmer empowerment for agriculture technology transfer. The research used the qualitative method with the phenomenological approach. The data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interview and literature review. Its key informants were consisted of 42 persons, namely: farmer group administrators, farmers, agricultural extension and relevant government officials. The final model was formulated based on: SWOT analysis, empowerment theory, results of similar researches, and condition of the organic farming system in the future. The conclusion are: (1) the factors which make it difficult to invite the farmers to implement organic farming technology transfer are not merely the limited production factors, but the farmers' lack of concern over the danger of chemical intake usage and the market, (2) The existing model is implemented by a sole informant so that it tends to be aimless and often ignores the external supports. (3) the impact on the farmer groups are the emerging reinforcements of: suitable leaderships, interpersonal dialog, development of a network of partnerships and, market. (4) The obtained model is the systemic farmer empowerment model in organic farming technology transfer with the following approaches: interpersonal dialog adaptation, development of networking, market, recognition as organic farmers, organic rice certification.