Sustainability Index of Dryland Paddy Natural Farming System in the Border Area of Morotai Island

Abstract

Natural farming system is a reality exists and holistic agricultural system. The purpose of this research was to examine the sustainability index of socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions. An indicator based analysis method was employed, adapted from the study of Sustainability Assessment of Farming and the Environment (SAFE) model and the farmer’s sustainability index (FSI) model. The research was conducted on 224 respondents in Morotai Island. This research formulated 13 indicators which were developed and modified based on agricultural sustainability consensus and various researches’ findings and adapted to specific potential condition of local area in preservation of dryland paddy natural farming system. Using the analysis instruments of MDS and Rap-Farm, the analysis presented the feasibility of MDS-Rap-Farm analysis from the perspective of Stress and R-square values, Rap-Farm Ordination, viewing leverage of attributes, validity test with Monte Carlo analysis and prospective analysis methods as the direction of recommendation for sustainability preservation of dryland paddy natural farming system in Morotai Island border area. Therefore, the dryland paddy natural farming system in Morotai Island border area is a reality exists sustainable and holistic which economically dimension, socio-cultural dimension and environmental dimension.