Effect of Socio-Economic on Farmers' Decisions in Using Lowland Rice Production Inputs in Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, rice was produced by small-scale farmers where yields were still generally low. This was because small-scale farmers still used poor quality seeds and unbalanced fertilizers. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the socio-economic factors that affected the adoption of quality seeds in lowland rice farming and the use of fertilizers on quality seeds. This research used a double-hurdle model to answer the objectives of research and used 329 farmings which were selected randomly in Central Sulawesi Indonesia. The results show that the gender variable only affected the use of fertilizer on quality seeds. Education, access to credit, sources of income (income diversification), access to extension, meetings with farmer groups were found to be positively correlated with the decision to adopt quality seeds in lowland rice farming and use of fertilizers to quality seeds, while the number of dependents of the household head was negatively correlated. The land area of lowland rice was positively correlated with the adoption of quality seeds in lowland rice farming but negatively correlated with the number of fertilizers used for quality seeds. Based on these findings, the role of extension workers and farmer groups was needed in disseminating quality seeds, and through credit institutions, it was necessary to provide credit facilities to rice producers (farmers) so that rice productivity could be increased.

Rural Community Empowerment through the Utilization of Straw as Compost

“…This means that farmers still rely on the use of factory chemical fertilizers and do not fully understand that the use of factory chemical fertilizers can reduce the quality of paddy fields. This condition is also in line with Effendy and Sudiro [2] that farmers' participation in using fertilizers in a balanced manner in lowland rice is still not satisfactory, meaning that most lowland rice farmers are still reluctant to apply fertilization in a balanced manner to their rice fields. This condition should be stopped or a solution must be sought thus the lowland rice farmers do not rely on factory chemical fertilizers and are encouraged to use organic fertilizer or compost.…”

“…Effendy et al [3] explained the youth involvement to increase the youth empowerment. Meanwhile, [2] Effendy and Sudiro argued about factors that affect the woman empowerment in land use are external factors and farmer group supports.…”

Income Diversity and Other Socioeconomic Factors That Influence the Household Food Security of Small-Scale Lowland Rice Farmers in Indonesia

“…Extension access affected the adoption of lowland rice technology [27,28]. Agricultural technology, such as the use of superior seeds and fertilizers, could increase agricultural productivity so that farmers' income also increased.…”

“…This finding contradicts Atuoye et al [35], who states that gender had no significant effect on the food insecurity status in Ghana. Female managers are more likely to use fertilizers in lowland rice farming (Effendy et al [28] and Nation [39] notes that women are more willing to take risks than men to allocate resources.…”

Factors Determining TFP Increase in Small-Scale Lowland Rice Farming

“…A combination of various factors led to this decline. Effendy [2], Effendy et al [3], Effendy et al [4], and Gebeltová [5] suggest that the most critical factors include: increased prices of fertilizers and superior seeds, availability of technology, and fewer investment opportunities for farmers. As a result, the farmers cannot provide extensive and standard supplies in the process of lowland rice farming, which has reduced farm productivity.…”