Adoption of Horticultural Innovations by Smallholder Farmers in North Lombok - Indonesia

Abstract

Various approaches have been promoted by the Innovative Farm Systems and Capability for Agribusiness Activity (IFSCA) Program to improve small farmers' the livelihoods in North Lombok District -Indonesia. Through this collaborative action-research program involving Mataram University (Lombok -Indonesia), Massey University (New Zealand), and the local government, some horticulture innovations had been introduced to the smallholder farmers such as growth hormone, growing safe, high beds, plastic mulch, compost, pruning technique, and drip irrigation. A study was conducted to understand (1) farmers' adoption behavior of these innovations, (2) the impacts of the innovation adoption the horticulture production, job creation, and farmers' income, (3) factors affecting farmers' adoption behaviorsimpacts of earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic. A mix method approach was used for the study interviewing 60 farmers from 8 farmer groups participated in the IFSCA Program. The results show 100% farmers have adopted the horticulture innovations, increased the production and smallholder farmers' income. Changes in work patterns were identified as the results of the adoption behavior and changes of farming system, from previously food crop farming system to hoticulture farming. The adoption of horticulture innovations has created new jobs along the value chain. Higher profit, continuous production, job creation, and doing horticultural business are important factors affecting farmers' adoption behaviors. However, a big earthquake in July -August 2018, and COVID-19 pandemic that took place early 2020 have had significant impacts on the smallholder farmers' adoption rate. Horticulture farming scale decreased due to the big earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic, and another challenging effort is needed to bring the horticulture business back to normal.

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“…The high percentage of respondents who are of productive age in the range of 26 to 45 years will have a positive impact on the higher chances of more successful extension activities in the future because adults tend to have a stronger physical and mental condition and are more ready to absorb and adopt innovation (Zulfikar et al, 2018). In line with the research results of Abdurrahman et al (2023) which state that the productive age is faster in adopting technological innovations that provide economic improvements for horticultural farmers in Kayangan and Selamat subdistricts, North Lombok. Furthermore, Widakdo et al, (2021) stated that the age category of elderly farmers (≥ 46 years) will be in line with the reduced ability of farmers to adopt innovations caused by factors of decreased thinking power as a result of declining health levels, but will have advantages in terms of high emotional stability.…”

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“…These respondents have been involved in focused group discussion (FGD) activities. This result has been done by Abdurrahman et al [11], and a previously made questionnaire guided the interview. The questionnaire for data collection skills was conceptualized first by the research team, then a questionnaire trial was conducted for the respondents, and after that, the questionnaire was updated, and interviews were conducted with stakeholders.…”