INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VOLUME 8, ISSUE 11, NOVEMBER 2019 ISSN 2277-8616 Framework Assessment and Index of Knowledge Management of Small Farmers in the Agricultural Area Veronice, Helmi, Henmaidi, Ernita Arif Abstract: Knowledge Management (KM) in agriculture is an establishing system for creating, documenting, classifying, and disseminating knowledge, required for synergy of the development of technological innovation dissemination. KM framework requires assessment as a basis for the KM system in agricultural areas as efforts to determine the effectiveness of the system need to have a KM index which serves to represent conditions in the field. This study aims to determine the framework and KM index of small farmers in agricultural areas. Also, evaluating it as a basis for KM systems requires framework assessment in agricultural areas; therefore, the effectivity determination requires a KM index which represents the conditions in the field. The design process uses a Delphi method through the stages, as well as in-depth interviews with 15 experts, observations, and Focus Group Discussion. The result reveals the form of KM index measurement variables within agricultural areas. First, acquisition with indicators of all group member participation in all related activities. This process occurred within and outside the organisation, using a systematic approach. Second, storage with signs of knowledge access owned by all members, which are easily traceable and digitally stored, as well as the existence of information security mechanism. Third, distribution with indicators source, material clarity, and the delivery methods used. And fourth, application with indicators of precise regulation, utilising information technology. The average index results based on the reference of American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC)'s level of Knowledge Management Maturity KM obtained level 3 which is standardisation with the dominant indicator being the acquisition indicator. This study concludes the KM framework in the agricultural area has four variables, and the km level index is at level 3. Index Terms: Agricultural area, farmers group,framework assessment, innovation, knowledge management, small farmers, sustainability, —————————— —————————— 1 INTRODUCTION Small farmers are an essential asset in agricultural information and transferring knowledge [7]. In this connection, development and food security. Small farmers can control their the development of an agricultural area known as Knowledge resources, can maintain the relationship between humans and Management needs an integrated approach between expertise nature, and can reduce dependency. Meanwhile, low-income and innovation. Knowledge management (KM) is an levels often associate small farmers into the category [1] as one established system to create, document, classify, and of them is caused by not well-implemented institutions that disseminate knowledge in farmer groups so that learning is created this association. Thus, the development of smallholder easy to use whenever needed by anyone. This system is institutions is one of the problems in agricultural development following the level of authority and competence including [2]; [3]; [4]; [5]. Small farmer institutions in agricultural areas small farmers, extension agents, traders, Small industries and need to be developed to overcome every problem such as weak other stakeholders are involved in the synergy of the bargaining power, access to capital, access to information and development of dissemination of technological innovation in knowledge that is still limited in agricultural management, agriculture [8]; [9]. consequently, production is not optimal [5]. To overcome the It is necessary to determine KM in identifying, measuring, limitations of farmers' information and knowledge, they can and analysing the conditions and processes of KM that occur establish institutional groups to develop their potential and in agricultural areas to assess the effectiveness of the built insight in accessing various information [6]. An alternative system. Based on previous research, KM assessment still uses a solution for developing smallholder institutions in agricultural technological perspective and is dominated by business areas is to build productive communities/business units using organizations and has not touched on aspects of the KM shared natural and human resources. These alternatives process in small-scale farming communities. This article require access to knowledge and innovation management and presents a structural framework for assessing the the ability to continue to survive and compete in the current implementation of knowledge management and analysing the competition and build potential benefits in increasing km index from measurements in the agricultural area. Department of Agriculture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS University, Padang 25163, Indonesia. [email protected] Department of Socio-economic of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The research data consisted of primary data and secondary Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia data. Primary data are from in-depth interviews with experts, Department Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Andalas surveys, observations, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) University, Padang 25163, Indonesia whereas secondary data are from literature studies in the form Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political of synthesis of journals related to KM both national and Sciences, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia international journals. The population in this study were farmer groups in Lembah Gumanti sub-district, Solok 2359 IJSTR©2019 www.ijstr.org INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VOLUME 8, ISSUE 11, NOVEMBER 2019 ISSN 2277-8616 Regency, West Sumatra, which involved approximately 14 farmer groups spread across four Nagari (Alahan Panjang, Air Dingin, Salimpat, and Sungai Nanam). Data were analysed qualitatively in case studies. This method allows researchers to understand, examine, and interpret the meanings derived from the phenomena in agricultural areas. This research was carried out through several stages designed to produce an assessment of knowledge management (KM) framework in an agricultural area. These stages are: 1) Collection of knowledge information through observation and Focus Group Discussion (FGD); 2) Develop and build a KM framework with the Delphi method approach. This method is used to obtain input and assessment from experts and practitioners in solving research problems [10]; [11]., states that forecasting, priority issues, identification, and concept development/framework has used this method. In this study involving experts who are experts in the field of agricultural areas; 3) Conduct a KM framework that is prepared using the KM index based on literature. The Figure 1. Models of Knowledge Management Framework Assessment in the intention of the above stages are for: 1) Obtaining a KM business world [12] framework model in agricultural areas; 2) Obtaining an assessment of the KM framework in agricultural areas. Associations, universities. In line with what was stated by [14], that KM acquisition is a farmer group that seeks new Results and discussion knowledge and information inside and outside the farmer A framework is a concept that illustrates the relevance of group through imitation, benchmarking, replication / potential aspects that affect a system, process, or instrument, outsourcing; there is a collaborative process in obtaining and learns how to apply the idea in practice. So this further information. [15] reported that one of the means of framework can be used as a research tool and used as a knowledge is the acquisition of knowledge is about collecting, guideline about which aspects must be taken into account and combining, connecting information with human experience considered. The KM assessment framework in small scale and expertise. There are four indicators used in this acquisition agricultural areas is different from that in the business variable. The first is active member participation: member environment. Figure 1 shows The KM framework for the involvement in achieving goals and taking responsibility in business world. The KM framework in business formulated by them. The second indicator is the identification of knowledge CEN contains 5 KM core activities, namely identifying, from within the farmer group: Activities of extracting and creating, storing, sharing, and using KM. This framework does gathering information from within the farmer group. The third not cover the main aspects of KM that are distributed globally indicator is the identification of expertise from outside the but provides such as adding enablers and additional farmer group: Extracting and gathering information from components, or other extension options. Whereas in the area of outside the farmer group. And the fourth indicator is a agriculture classified as a public organisation, based on the systematic approach to knowledge creation: Organizational results of the Delphi method obtained, it consists of 4 variables and logical approach to knowledge activities that form a from KM, namely acquisition, storage, distribution, and whole, comprehensive, integrated system. KM storage variable application. Knowledge management acquisition variable is an is an activity that institutionalises knowledge in the form of activity to increase knowledge