Incentive program towards sustainability of organic rice certification in Limapuluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

The government of Indonesia has committed to support the development of organic agriculture in Indonesia by establishing regulations on Organic Agriculture Systems in 2013. West Sumatra is one of the provinces in Indonesia which is very committed to developing organic agriculture. Before the decree was established, The Department of Agriculture of West Sumatra has allocated on Regional Budget year 2011 to improve the Organic Food Product Incentive by giving an incentive for 250 IDR per kilogram of organic rice. It was expected that it can influence farmers’ decision to recertify their organic products. Unfortunately, the incentive program was not continued in 2015. This research aimed to analyze the impact of government incentives on the sustainability of organic rice farming. The research was conducted in Limapuluh Kota Regency using survey methods. 65 organic rice farmers were interviewed. The research result showed that 80% of respondents agree that organic certification is a benefit for them. 20% of respondents do not think that organic certification is a benefit for their organic rice. As a result, they do not use the incentives for the benefit of organic rice production and organic recertification. 60% of them use it for household needs. Although the incentive program is not continued, 70% of farmers recertify their organic rice with the main reason is that it was the group’s decision. It is suggested that farmer’s motivation to re-certify organic rice should be become a consideration by the government for the development of organic rice farming programs.