Intrinsic motivation of sustainable agriculture for small island communities: a case study in Binongko, Wakatobi

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture appreciates the development of cultural values that come from the community local wisdom. Cultural values can be an intrinsic motivation that underlies the community’s agricultural techniques. This motivation is relatively strong in small island communities who have limited land and water resources for agricultural activities. This study aims to reveal and review the intrinsic motivation in the sustainable agriculture of small island communities. The research was conducted from April 2018 to April 2019 on Binongko Island, Wakatobi Regency, South east Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Data were collected through observation, interviews and literature study using the data triangulation method. The results showed that the Binongko community were intrinsically motivated by the desire to be winners (hoppotallo) in conquering natural challenges on land (rocky rocks) and oceans (high waves). This desire is based on the spiritual belief about God’s power and the awareness to work hard as expressed in the ancient philosophy of society “wale menturu wale bhila, mayi wale mangare wale mo’aro”. This motivation drives them to cultivate plants with rituals such as bhelai, phitado, honowu/katambhari, bhija-bhija/bhatata, pajare’a, phidawu-phidongka and tompe’a. The motivation in agricultural culture has social, economic and ecological implications that support a sustainable agricultural development system.

The study of millennial farmers behavior in agricultural production

“…Millennial and advanced farmers usually having a tendency to be a learner and constantly improving their abilities in terms of business development. the level of education has a positive relationship with the motivation of farmers to change [13]. Young farmers with higher education levels are relatively easier to access the information they need, so they are not dependent on other parties for this.…”