The development strategy of subsistent or semi commercial maize farming system

Abstract

Subsistent/semi commercial farmers were very slow to adopt the new technology of maize cultivation, although the new introduction technology could be done by farmers, economies and compatible with farmer’s socio-culture. Generally, that was caused introduction technology need high inputs (i.e. superior seed maize varieties, fertilizer, and pesticides), and other sides orientation of maize cultivation by subsistent/semi commercial farmers for food security, farmers limited money to bought inputs, and inputs shop in sub district/village levels was nothing. The consequence was introduction of new technology could not extend and farmers back to existing technology after character building had finished. The research was conducted on 3 (three) farmer’s group and planted area 15 hectares of maize in South Timor Tengah district, East Nusa Tenggara province in 2017-2018. The research showed the problems could be overcome by guiding of new technology to farmers/farmer’s group among 1-2 times planting and building of new institutional i.e. clinic of technology on village level. Extension workers and group of farmer’s group (GAPOKTAN) manage clinic of technology. The clinic function was to inform new agricultural information to farmers/farmer’s group and be responsibility to supplying of inputs. To guarantee the continuity maize farming system, farmers need loan assistance with semi grand system. Farmers/farmers group borrow inputs from the clinic of technology and it refund by maize product after harvesting. The clinic of technology did maize processing and sold maize in early rainy season. The clinic of technology built maize seed industry unit in village level and bought inputs (fertilizer and pesticides Farmer’s household lack of food, although improving of technology cultivation in ENT province had done) from agricultural shop on district/province level. This strategy could guarantee sustainability maize farming system and potential to develop in other village.