For many years, Bungaria Parulian Sihaloho wondered whether she had what it took to become an effective agricultural extension officer. Working alongside experienced farmers in North Sumatra, Indonesia, often felt intimidating.

“I thought farmers must be smarter than me,” she recalls.

Today, that uncertainty has been replaced by confidence, experience, and commitment to helping farming families improve their livelihoods. At 52, Bungaria has become a trusted source of knowledge and a champion for sustainable agriculture in Serdang Bedagai Regency, where she is helping farmers adopt better farming practices through the Sustainable Pesticide Management Framework (SPMF) Farmers Field School program implemented by HarvestPlus Solutions (HPS) and CropLife Indonesia.

In Melati 2 Village, Perbaungan Subdistrict, many rice farmers have traditionally relied on practices passed down through generations. While these methods provided familiarity, they often resulted in excessive fertilizer use, inefficient pest management, and limited adoption of new technologies. Economic pressures also meant that many farmers prioritized daily work over attending training sessions, making it difficult to introduce improved farming practices.

Bungaria understood these challenges firsthand. Rather than seeing them as barriers, she viewed them as opportunities to connect with farmers and demonstrate the value of practical learning.

One of her greatest contributions has been supporting the implementation of the Farmer Field School, a hands-on learning approach that enables farmers to observe, test, and apply improved agricultural practices directly in their fields. During the 2026 planting season, the program engaged 30 farmers from the Mawar Farmers’ Group as direct participants, while creating opportunities to reach an additional 350 farmers in surrounding communities through knowledge sharing and peer learning.

Through the field school, farmers are gaining practical skills in seed selection, seed treatment, responsible pesticide use, and soil fertility management. A key innovation introduced through the program is the use of Soil Test Kits, which help farmers determine the actual nutrient needs of their soils before applying fertilizer.

“Until now, farmers have always relied on traditional practices to manage their rice fields,” says Bungaria. “With soil testing technology, farmers can now apply fertilizer according to the actual needs of the soil.”

The results are already becoming visible across the community. Farmers are showing greater interest in learning and adopting improved practices. By following soil test recommendations, many are reducing unnecessary fertilizer use and applying pesticides more responsibly, helping lower production costs while supporting environmental sustainability.

For Bungaria, however, the most important change is not only in farming practices but also in farmers’ attitudes. She has seen growing confidence among participants as they begin to understand the benefits of innovation and continuous learning.

“This field school is a good way to change farmers’ behavior, attitudes, and skills in order to improve their families’ well-being,” she explains.

The impact extends beyond individual farms. As more farmers adopt sustainable rice production practices, communities are strengthening their food security, improving productivity, and building greater resilience. The field schools are creating local champions who can share knowledge with others, multiplying the benefits throughout the region.

Looking ahead, Bungaria hopes that more farmers will have access to field schools and demonstration plots that allow them to experience new technologies firsthand. She believes that continued investment in farmer learning will accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices and improve rural livelihoods.

“The benefit is that farmers are becoming more knowledgeable about farming practices and are able to fully utilize technology,” she says. “Naturally, we hope this will improve their well-being.”

Bungaria’s journey from self-doubt to leadership demonstrates the power of knowledge, perseverance, and community-based learning. Through her dedication and the support of the Farmers Field School program, she is helping farmers move from simply knowing about new technologies to understanding and applying them—creating lasting change for farming families and communities across North Sumatra.