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BRIDGING EXPECTATIONS: EXTENSION AGENTS’ PERCEPTION OF A GAP BETWEEN EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCE WHEN IMPLEMENTING THE INDONESIAN BEEF SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMME
Abstract
Beef self-sufficiency programme (BSSP) was launched in Indonesia in 2004 in r
Beef self-sufficiency programme (BSSP) was launched in Indonesia in 2004 in response to the massive import of beef from other countries. The objective of the present article is to explore and discuss how Indonesian extension agents perceived the practical implementation of the programme, including their own and others’ expectations of their role in the implementation, as well in the programme. Semi-structured qualitative interviews of 14 extension agents (11 males, 3 females) were conducted during December 2013–January 2014 based in the Semarang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The extension agents experienced that although the BSSP was supported by the government with a number of diverse activities such as support for artificial inseminations and concentrated feed stuff for farmers, there was no coherent support regarding how to distribute these benefits, disseminate knowledge or assist farmers on how to increase production in their farms and how to balance this with other farm priorities. They generally felt squeezed between–on the one hand–the government’s expectations of their implementation efforts and efficiency, and–on the other hand – the farmers’ expectations on availability, assistance and donations. The practical framing of and conditions for their work did not seem to match the expectations from either party–neither the farmers nor government. The BSSP was closed in 2014. Referring to their experiences, the extension agents questioned the long-term impact of the programme, the future of self-sufficiency regarding beef production in the country, and how this learning could be captured and used for the future.
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