Farmers response to introducing of integrated crop management technology for lowland rice in Konawe district

Abstract

One of the efforts to spur national rice production is through the application of location-specific technological innovations, which is believed to support the program to increase national rice production when applied by farmers as recommended. The study aims to determine the response of farmers to the components of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technology for lowland rice. The study was carried out in April - August 2021, located in Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Respondents were 25 farmers who were involved in the NEW SUPERIOR VARIETY paddy rice demonstration plot. The response of farmers to the observed lowland rice farming technology refers to the component of rice Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technology, which consists of: perfect tillage, quality seeds, lowland rice new superior variety, planting methods, use of organic matter, fertilization, pest management and disease and timely harvest. Data were analyzed with a qualitative descriptive approach. The results of the study of farmers’ responses to the ICM technology components obtained, the response rate of farmers was 88%, included in the high category. This means that 88% of the introduced ICM technology components are accepted by farmers. Partially, the level of response of farmers to the components of ICM technology are: perfect tillage (100%), quality/labeled seeds (100%), organic matter (100%), timely harvest (100%), fertilization (90%), pest and disease management (80%), lowland rice NEW SUPERIOR VARIETY (75%), tapin and atabela Jarwo (60%).