Potential of Ratoon Rice Farming Development in Central Java Province, Indonesia for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Abstract

Ratoon rice farming is the method of harvesting rice for 2-3 times by maintaining and growing the shoots from the previous tillers. In Central Java, Indonesia, ratoon rice is local wisdom in farming called Singgang. Nowadays, almost no farmers are implementing ratoon rice farming, in spite of many advantages for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The objectives of this research are to identify and to map out the current implementation of ratoon rice farming in Central Java; and to formulate the strategies to develop the ratoon rice farming as local wisdom in Central Java. This research was conducted from November 2019 to January 2020, using qualitative research with the FGD method. The research location was chosen by purposive sampling according to three irrigation systems, namely: rainfed rice field in Gondangrejo, Karanganyar Regency; Tidal rice field in Tuntang, Semarang Regency; and technical irrigation rice field in Kebonagung, Demak Regency. The data obtained were analyzed using the SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats technique). The results showed that the highest potential to develop ratoon rice farming in Central Java is on rainfed land. Development of ratoon rice for climate change adaptation and mitigation is influenced by the characteristics of farmers, environmental conditions, irrigation systems, the activity of extension workers and farmer groups, the motivation of farmers to innovate. Therefore, the strategies suggested to develop the system are: to increase the role of extension workers and farmer groups, as well as agricultural production facilities, so that the motivation to maintain the local wisdom and accept technological innovations raise; and to minimize the decline in ratoon rice production by intensive farming management and specifically create ratoon rice farming area.