The Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan) Medan recently completed an intensive training session titled Training of Trainers (ToT) for Collaborative Extension Media. Held over two days from July 8 to 9, 2026, the event centered at the Kostratani Building was attended by 40 participants, consisting of students and Field Extension Officers (PPL) from three regencies in North Sumatra.
The high enthusiasm of participants exceeding initial targets serves as a strong signal of the need for extension personnel to adapt to technological developments. In his directive, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that extension services are the backbone of agricultural progress. According to him, agricultural development messages will be conveyed more effectively when packaged through an approach that blends local cultural values with modern digital tools.
Head of BPPSDMP, Idha Widi Arsanti, also highlighted the urgency of media innovation amidst changing public behavior in accessing information. She stressed that extension media should no longer be rigid, but rather more participatory and inclusive. Echoing this sentiment, Director of Polbangtan Medan, Nurliana Harahap, stated her institution's commitment to continuing as an incubator for fresh ideas relevant to the needs of farmers in the field.
During the training, participants received guidance from expert speakers, ranging from socio-cultural value mapping to media design strategies. Hands-on practice was a major highlight, where participants successfully produced educational short films as creative extension media. The event series also included a media competition to foster competitiveness and creativity among extension workers in producing inspiring materials.
It is hoped that the skills acquired from this training can be widely implemented in their respective work areas. This step is part of the Ministry of Agriculture's grand strategy to produce adaptive, professional agricultural human resources capable of guiding the national food sector into an era of sustainable modernity.
