Multidimensional analysis for assessing sustainability determinants of rice farming in Siak, Riau

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted in five villages in Bunga Raya District (Kemuning Muda, Bunga Raya, Tuah Indrapura, Jayapura, and Buantan Lestari), the rice production centers of Siak Regency, Riau. The research location was selected based on the largest percentage of rice field area. The research was conducted from January to July 2019. This research aims to determine sustainable lowland rice farming management variables for future lowland rice farming development in Bunga Raya District, Siak Regency. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 82 sample farmers, who were selected using the Slovin equation. The respondents are selected with a margin of error of 7% of the total population of farmer families. Data was gathered through the use of interview techniques, questionnaires, and field observations. Multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) was used to analyze sustainable rice farming management factors after updating the Rapfish program. According to the findings of the sustainability study of 42 studied variables, 12 of them show sensitivity. Five of the ten stakeholder needs attributes were examined to provide sensitivity. The combined analysis of current prospective sustainability with stakeholders yielded five attributes determining factors for the sustainability of lowland rice farming in Bunga Raya: land conversion, participation in training/extension services, pesticide use, agro-tourism potential, and farmer capital availability. Another recommendation that policy makers need to consider, which is no less important, is to always preserve the rice field ecosystem by developing natural and human resources, so that increasing the welfare of farmers and increasing regional income can be achieved.