Empowering farmer community with technology modernisation to improve rice farming performance through demonstration farms in East Java, Indonesia
International Journal of Innovation Science
ISSN: 1757-2223
Article publication date: 21 October 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Rice is a strategic commodity and staple food; thus, rice productivity should grow faster than the population. A public agricultural agency launched technology modernisation to improve rice farm performance. This study aims to assess the impact of technology modernisation on rice farming performance and evaluate farmer acceptance of such technology.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted in 2023-2024, based on selected demonstration farms (demfarm) carried out during 2021-2022 in East Java, Indonesia, one of the rice bowls. Microeconomic theory of production and the double-differences approach were used as fundamental analyses. Farmers were purposively selected to participate in the demfarm. For comparison, farmers with existing technology adjacent to the demfarm were chosen accordingly. Rice production is considered an economic performance indicator, and factors related to socio-demographic and technical aspects were conceptualised using innovation and diffusion theory.
Findings
The results of demfarm were apparent. Technology modernisation improved rice farming’s economic performance. Farmer acceptance of such technology was relatively high at the first stage. There was no conflict between technology and local culture and norms. The technological package will likely be disseminated to farmers after adequate socialisation.
Research limitations/implications
This study engaged farmer innovators and early adopters in the demonstration farm. This needs more actions from farmers who are not categorised as innovators and early adopters, which dominate the farmer population.
Practical implications
Extension officials need field guidance to ensure continual technology adoption because of technology complexity.
Originality/value
The originality of the study is based on a field experiment and direct observation throughout a crop cycle, and the analysis is established using a solid theory and analytical framework.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the participating farmers who provided information and colleagues of Dr Evy Latifah, Ms Hanik A. Dewi, and Mr Putu B. Daroini for providing access to the data of demonstration farms. The authors also thank Prof Agus Setiadi, Dr Migie Handayani, and Ms Annisa Firdauzi for field support, two postgraduate students of Ms Dwita Indrarosa and Ms Khoiriyatun Widyastuti for data management, and Dr Victor Avari-Sefa and Dr Arief Indrasumunar for constructive feedbacks during revision stages. This is mainly to acknowledge that the former Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology East Java facilitated funding and data for demonstration farms. Additional expenses related to the study were partially financed by a particular funding scheme of Word Class Research University with contract number 357-13/UN7.D2/PP/IV/2024 provided by Research and Community Services (LPPM) Universitas Diponegoro – Indonesia. The study’s results do not immediately represent the opinion of funding agencies, and the authors are responsible for the contents and shortcomings of the study.
Citation
Mariyono, J. and Kuntariningsih, A. (2024), "Empowering farmer community with technology modernisation to improve rice farming performance through demonstration farms in East Java, Indonesia", International Journal of Innovation Science, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-12-2023-0271
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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