Exploration of the potential of upland rice agribusiness development in South Konawe District, Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

Upland rice potential needs to be explored from various aspects so that it can really contribute to the increase in national rice production. Potential of upland rice apart from the potential aspects of resources availability also needs to be explored from the social and economic aspects that were studied in the concept of agribusiness. Potential in resource and social were being investigated by the qualitative method, while potential in economics was being investigated by the quantitative method, namely R/C ratio analysis. The results showed: (a) The resources potential in the form of land availability and an increase of upland rice productivity in South Konawe District. Upland rice also has the advantage of adaptation in various agroecology, soil types, and types of plants in intercropping systems; (b) The social potential in the form of farmers’ knowledge and skills regarding upland rice cultivation which tends to the concept of organic farming, socio characteristics and social capital; (c) The economic potential in the form of higher prices for rice from upland rice than rice from lowland rice, limited market share, and high financial feasibility.

Upland Rice Performance through N, P, K Fertilizers and Weed (Mimosa invisa L.) Extract Applications.

“…Value pH -H2O [pH 1:5] 1 5.84 C-organic [%] 2 5.17 N-Total [%] 3 0.17 Available P [ppm] 4 5.36 Extractable K [ppm] 5 145.41 Cation Exchange Capacity [cmol [+] kg -1 ] 6 15.42…”

“…In most countries in Asia and Africa, rice plays a vital role in the economy and is a staple food, including Indonesians. Consumption of rice has reached 150 kg per capita in the Indonesian population per year in 2017, so it means that the adequacy of rice stocks as the main carbohydrate source is still identical for food security [1]. Therefore, the main agendas must be arranged to fulfill rice needs through encourage production systems.…”

“…Meanwhile, the contribution of upland rice from dryland areas that its available spread in many islands in Indonesia has not been utilized optimally yet [3]. Therefore, dryland in Indonesia has potency due to large areas to be developed as field rice with upland rice harvested area reached about 1.2 million ha but have not become an alternative solution to establishment national rice production [1].…”

“…Improving technology, rice varieties, and cultivation techniques with the proper land management system are needed to maintain the quality and quantity of upland rice. Thus, the benefit of upland rice is adaptively grown in various agroecosystems and soil types [1]. Upland rice began to be widely developed in various regions of the world because of its cultivation which saves more water and can support the irrigated rice production, especially in Indonesia.…”

“…However, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and the ability of the soil to provide nutrients lead to decreases in production [4] and the survival of soil organisms [5]. Based on social potential, farmers in some dryland areas in Indonesia are interested in developing organic farming concepts [1].…”