Assessing virtual and on-site technical trainings during the first year of covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

In 2020, Covid-19 pandemic firstly hit many countries including Indonesia. Since then, the methods on disseminating the agricultural technology have evolved accordingly. This paper assessed nine series of virtual and on-site technical trainings (or the so-called Bimtek in this paper) carried out from February to November 2020 in nine sub-districts from five provinces. Zoom application was used to deliver the materials during virtual Bimtek. Whilst, on-site training applied such methods: meeting in the classroom and field visit to practice the technology. The participants were diverse, among others: farmers and millennial farmers, extension officers, lecturers, college students and community (551 in total). The nature of participants depended on the type of Bimtek. Results showed that both Bimtek had the range of value between 70-85% in term of materials to meet the needs, materials to be applied, motivation and technical assistance from resource person. However, the percentage of knowledge change in virtual was higher than that in on-site Bimtek. Initial assessment showed that participants had good knowledge in remembering the technology, even some had also applied the technology in their farming practice. Thus, both Bimtek could improve farmers’ knowledge, from which the intention to change the farming practice could be persuaded.