Water-system changes in swampy rice agro-ecosystems area and their economic impacts on farmers in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Conversion of land encompasses not only changes inthe use of land for cultivation of food to non-food product but also includes the conversion of land in use to unused land. Changes in the management of water in the area of agro-ecosystem in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) District has resulted in a change of use of paddy swampy land. Research was aimed :1) to analyze the differences in the income of farmers of rice due to the changes management water in the area of agro-ecosystems; and 2) to analyze the level of welfare of the rice farmers after adapting to the current environmental conditions. Research was carried out in the Belanti Village, Sirah Pulau Padang District, Ogan Komering Ilir District, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Location was selected purposively as the village was exposed to routine annual flood since 2008. The farmers has experinced crop and harvest failure, despite the fact that it has served as rice granary since 1992. As survey method with structured questionaires was applied in this research. Sampling was conducted purposively against 42 rice farmers who experienced crop failure. The primary and secondary data were collected and then subjected to land rent value analysis and t-test analysis. Results showed that: 1) changes in water management have reduced household income of farmers by 50.06%; and 2) the level of welfare of rice farmers is still low even though they have made adaptation efforts. To improve the quality of living for farmers affected by flooding, there is a need for integrated cooperation between the government of the country, palm plantation companies, and farmers.