Potatoes are one of the horticultural commodities with high economic value and have the opportunity to fill the domestic and export markets. However, potato productivity in Central Java tends to decline due to suboptimal fertilization technology. This study aims to assess crop growth, potato production, and the economic feasibility of potato farming. The experiment was carried out in Sumberejo Village, Batur District, Banjarnegara Regency, in September-December 2021 with a pilot demonstration plot covering an area of 0.4 ha by applying dibbling and spreading fertilization. Data on plant growth and production were analyzed using average values and t-tests‒; input-output data were analyzed financially to calculate economic feasibility. The results showed that the dibbling method had an insignificant effect on the vegetative and generative plant growth, but potato production by dibbling was about 3 kg ha-1 compared to production by dispersing. The dibbling method gave a higher profit memberikan nilai keuntungan lebih tinggi with B/C = 0.81 compared to the dispersed method with B/C = 0.68. The change in fertilization from spread to dibble gave high benefits with an indication of MBCR = 8.11. If there is a decrease in production and prices, then fertilization by dibbling has a higher tolerance limit (44.87%) to the losses caused than dibbling fertilization, which has a tolerance limit of 40.49%.   Keywords: fertilization methods, economic feasibility, potato, profits, production

Shallots are one of the horticultural products that have important economic values. The objective of this study is to analyse the performance of production and price as well as to identify the marketing system of shallot. The research used time-series data from 2009 to 2018. The data was analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the harvested area and production of shallot have an increasing trend, while the productivity of shallots has a decreasing trend during the last 10 years (2009 to 2018). The price of shallots has been fluctuating from 2009 to 2018. The fluctuation of shallots price was caused by the fluctuation of production. The distribution of shallots from production centres to end consumers requires marketing services carried out by marketing agents. The shallot marketing channel involves two or more market players. The longer the marketing channel, the higher the marketing margin, and the lower the share of the price would be received by farmers (profit sharing). Conversely, the shorter the marketing channel, the lower the marketing margin and the higher the share of farmers would be. Therefore, to increase farmer share, there should be an institution that could facilitate a shorter marketing margin between farmers and consumers.

The use of non-certified seeds in rice farming in rainfed rice fields is still relatively high, around 60%. The objectives of this study (1) to analyze the comparison between the use of certified and non-certified rice seeds, (2) to measure the increase in the efficiency of input use and increase of profits with the use of certified seeds. The study was carried out in Semarang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesian with a survey method. The data collected were analyzed descriptively using a comparison method between farmers who used certificated and non-certified seeds. The study's findings showed that the average productivity of rice using certified seeds was 5.41 tons/ha of dry milled grain, while the average productivity of rice using the non-certified seeds was 4.91 tons/ha. The profit obtained in rice farming using certified seeds was as much as 16,154,000.00 IDR per hectare, while the profit using the non-certified seeds was as much as 14,626,000.00 IDR per hectare. In rice farming using certified seeds, an R/C ratio of 2.81 was obtained, while those using non-certified seeds obtained an R/C ratio of 2.71. The study results showed that the use of certified seeds had increased the efficiency of input use and profits in rice farming.

Spontaneous and ragi fermentations are the most common methods in producing traditional fermented foods in Indonesia. The present work aimed to compare the impacts of spontaneous and ragi fermentations on cereal flour properties. Three kinds of cereal, namely whole sorghum, waxy coix, and white maize were processed into flours through spontaneous fermentation, ragi fermentation, and without fermentation (control). Fermentation methods were adopted from the Indonesian traditional processing methods. Cereal grains were immersed for 72 h in distilled water (1:2 w/v) for spontaneous fermentation, and in 1% ragi tapai solution (1:2 w/v) for ragi fermentation. Meanwhile, native flour (without fermentation) was produced by grounding and sieving the cereal grains. Results showed that both fermentation techniques significantly altered the physical properties of cereal flours, as indicated by the increase in lightness index and decrease in water-binding capacity and viscosity. However, cereal flours’ chemical and functional properties remain unchanged during fermentation, except for lipid and amylose. Spontaneous fermentation significantly resulted in the lowest lipid content of cereal flours, while ragi fermentation resulted in the lowest amylose content of cereal flours. Sorghum flour generally showed better nutritional properties among the examined cereal flours, especially lipid, protein, and dietary fibre. Meanwhile, waxy coix and white maize flours had the highest folate.

The study on the production and distribution of soybean seeds was carried out in January-September 2020. The location of soybean seed production was 33 ha across Central Java Province, Grobogan, Kendal, and Brebes districts. The seeds produced are SS1 class consisting of Grobogan (22 ha), Anjasmoro (10 ha), and Dega 1 (1 ha). Seed production was carried out by cooperating with soybean seed partners. The data collected includes data on prospective soybean seed production, yield, and distribution of soybean seeds. Existing data were analyzed descriptively. The study results showed that the Grobogan seed's productivity was 2,150 kg/ha on average, while the Anjasmoro was 2,030 kg/ha, and Dega 1 was 2,120 kg/ha. Overall yields of soybean seeds from 33 ha were 73,803 kg. The percentage yield of Grobogan was 79.072%, Anjasmoro 80.20%, and Dega 1 was 66.67%. The seeds were distributed to seed producers in the Central Java Province recommended by the Central Java Seed Monitoring and Certification Agency and the Central Java Seed Producers and Traders Association.