Transformative learning and engagement with organic farming: Lessons learned from Indonesia

Abstract

The transformation process toward organic farming in Indonesia has been ongoing for 20 years, but progress has been slow. One of the reasons for the slow development of organic agriculture is the lack of attention given to the process of social change by the actors involved. This research aims to analyze the involvement of each actor in the transformation process toward organic farming. This research is a qualitative study that uses a constructivist–interpretive approach. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with 7 informants, through observations, and through focus group discussions with 30 participants, which included farmers (some of whom were members of farmer groups, members of organic farming communities, or heads of farmer groups), agricultural extension officers, and organic field school administrators. The data were examined via thematic analysis. The research results revealed social, cultural, and psychological barriers in the transformation process of the actors. Changes in spaces and forms of farmer learning and perspectives are the keys to the success of the transformation process toward organic farming. Farmers and actors involved in organic farming believe that technology adoption and the involvement of actors who synergize with each other through the support of dialogic processes and facilities to meet and share knowledge, experiences, and problems are the keys to the success of the transformation process. Social change is no longer top-down; it must be a dialogic process and a learning process from adult experience centering on a variety of relevant knowledge and feedback. Therefore, the actions that can be taken to encourage the acceleration of transformation toward organic farming include reforming organic farming institutions, establishing synergy with organic farming activist institutions, and providing access to information on organic farming development.