Farmers Empowerment in The Implementation of Integrated Farming Systemsat The Tunas Tani Group in Margorejo Village, Tegineneng District

Abstract

Integrated farming is an agricultural integration system that combines several agricultural, livestock and other sectors (plantations, fisheries) as a solution to increase land productivity and environmental conservation. Farmer groups are an important sector that supports the community's economy, especially in rural areas, so that they can develop and become a source of income for farmers. An integrated farming  can produce four products (4F), namely fuel, fertilizer, animal feed and food. This product is a basic need in running an agricultural and livestock business so that it will create a sustainable business and reduce external expenses. The integrated farming system is expected to produce cheap feed, renewable energy sources in the form of biogas, and organic fertilizer that can be used for agricultural businesses. So that integrated farming practices can run as expected, managers need to understand how integrated farming practices have performance and measurable success. Success in integrated farming practices can be a motivation for farmers, especially the young rural generation, to become integrated farming entrepreneurs. The Service Team took the initiative to provide assistance to the Tunas Tani farmer group domiciled in Margorejo Village, Tegineneng District to be able to rise and develop through technological adaptation to integrated farming practices with the use of animal manure as a plant nutrient as well as adaptation to the use of simple bookkeeping and recording of farming operations so that business performance can be measured. The results of education and extension activities show that there has been an increase in farmers' understanding of the practices and benefits of integrated farming. The results of the demonstration show that farmers have the willingness to try and apply technological innovations that have been practiced jointly by the proposer and farmer groups in integrated farming practices.