Community-Based Agricultural Education as a Tool for Post-Disaster Recovery and Empowerment
Keywords:
Community empowerment, agricultural education, Farmers’ Field School, post-disaster recovery, sustainable livelihoodsAbstract
Purpose – This study investigates how community-based agricultural education—specifically, the Farmers’ Field School (FFS)—contributes to post-disaster recovery and community empowerment in Aceh, Indonesia, following conflict and tsunami devastation. The research addresses a gap in the literature by exploring not only technical outcomes but also holistic livelihood impacts.
Design/methods/approach – A qualitative case study was employed, involving in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations with smallholder farmers who participated in FFS programs. The study used the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to assess the impacts on five livelihood capitals: human, natural, social, physical, and financial.
Findings – The findings show that FFS improved farmers’ agricultural skills, reduced chemical input dependency, enhanced collective action, and strengthened resilience in household income. However, the magnitude of impact varied across communities, shaped by internal factors (leadership, participation) and external influences (resource access, institutional support).
Research implications/limitations – The study is limited to specific communities in Aceh and relies primarily on participants’ self-reported experiences. While this provides rich insights, it limits generalizability. Further studies across different post-disaster settings are recommended to validate and expand the findings.
Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that FFS is not only an agricultural training tool but also a platform for empowerment and recovery in disaster-affected areas. It contributes to discourses on rural development, disaster rehabilitation, and participatory education strategies.
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