Rice paddy farmers’ perceptions on the performance of agricultural extension Officers (AEOs) serving the Tara-Tara III village, Tomohon City, North Sulawesi province, Indonesia

We have conducted a study to survey the perceptions of rice farmers on the role and performance of agricultural extension officers in the Village of Tara-Tara III, Tomohon City, North Sulawesi Province, which is one of rice production centers in Tomohon. 20 respondents were selected randomly. The primary data were obtained from interview for three months using a list of prepared questions. The secondary data were obtained from the BP3K Office of the Tomohon City and Tara-Tara III Village Office. The variables measured in this study were the outreach programs, action plans, maps of the area of technology development, dissemination of new technology information, access to financial institutions and farmers' income. The analysis was performed descriptively using tables. The results show that the agricultural extension officers (AEOs) did not yet provide tangible benefits to the farmers. The roles of the officers were considered merely as a transfer of technology and information. While the farmers expected them to function as a problem solver, a motivator and a facilitator. Such roles are required to deal with the dynamic changes in farmer’s daily life and to fulfill the mission of agricultural extension, e.g. development of farmer’s independence.