Hybrid rice is a major technological breakthrough in the Philippines since 2002 under the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program of the Department of Agriculture. It increases rice yields from 5 t/ha to 8 t/ha particularly in Central Luzon, which is tagged as the rice granary of the country. The region faces challenges in maintaining farmers’ receptivity and ensuring long-term adoption of the technology. After more than two decades, an evaluation study on farmers’ socio-demographic profiles and perceived challenges is essential to understand the technology’s long-term impact and offer insights into how the government can effectively support long-term receptivity to hybrid rice. The study used descriptive-comparative survey research design. Farmers were mostly male, elderly, married, have large households, attained secondary and tertiary education, members in farmers’ groups and have not received formal training on hybrid rice technology. Farm holdings were primarily small-scale across the region, with average farm size of 2.6 ha. Farmers preferred cultivating SL-8H and Longping hybrid rice varieties during the dry season. Yields in Nueva Ecija were higher than those in Bataan due to comparative advantage in terms of topography and better access to irrigation facilities and extension services. Pest and disease infestation was the primary challenge identified by farmers in hybrid rice production followed by inefficient seed delivery system, financial constraints, technical knowledge gap and seed supply mismatch. To mitigate these challenges, farmers proposed for sustained capacity-building, enhanced technical support from both public and private sectors, establishment of technology demonstration farms, and the timely provision of high-quality inputs and postharvest logistics.

This study aims to determine the effect of the combination of fermented noni and lime on consistency and sensory properties. The design used was a completely randomised design (CRD) with one factor, namely the ratio of fermented noni and lime, which were P1 50:50, P2 60:40, P3 70:30, P4 80:20, and P5 90:10. The study was conducted at the Integrated Agroindustry Laboratory, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Untag Surabaya. Data collection consisted of organoleptic test data from 30 panelists and analysis results, namely physical consistency analysis in the form of texture testing using a penetrometer. The analysis results indicate that the optimal formulation for fermented noni jelly candy, serving as a reference for producers to manufacture consumer-preferred fermented noni jelly candy ( ), is a 50:50 ratio of fermented noni to lime.

Post-harvest processing methods significantly influence coffee quality, yet traditional sun-drying techniques require 15-17 days and often result in inconsistent quality, particularly during rainy seasons. This study investigated the effects of four post-harvest processing methods (Natural, Full Wash, Semi Wash, and Honey) on quality characteristics of Arabica Sigararutang and Robusta Toraja coffee varieties using solar dryer dome technology. The research employed a factorial design with five replications for each treatment combination, resulting in 40 experimental plots. Coffee cherries were harvested from West Sumatra plantations at elevations of 1050-1150 masl for Arabica and 780-900 masl for Robusta. Quality assessment encompassed physical parameters (fresh weight, drying duration, color changes, dry weight, and yield), chemical parameters (moisture content, caffeine content, and pH level), and sensory parameters (color intensity, aroma, and overall acceptance) evaluated by certified panelists using 1-7 scoring scales. Results demonstrated that the Honey process yielded superior overall quality for both varieties, achieving highest sensory scores for color (5.30-5.35), aroma (5.36-6.21), and overall acceptance (3.81-4.64). The Semi Wash process exhibited the most efficient drying performance, requiring only 22.7-24.6 days compared to 33.4-32.9 days for Natural process. All treatments successfully achieved optimal moisture content (11.3-12.3%) using solar dryer dome technology. Arabica beans demonstrated higher fresh weight and caffeine content than Robusta across all processing methods. The Honey processing method combined with solar dryer dome technology represents an optimal approach for enhancing coffee quality and market competitiveness in small and medium-scale enterprises.

Coffee production in Lampung Province faces significant challenges due to the dominance of Ultisol soils characterized by low fertility, high acidity, and phosphorus fixation. This study aimed to determine the optimal dosage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum to enhance the growth of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) cuttings in Ultisol growing media. The experiment was conducted at the State Polytechnic of Lampung from August to October 2025 using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments: M0 (control without mycorrhizal), M1 (10 g mycorrhizal inoculum per plant), M2 (20 g per plant), and M3 (30 g per plant). Each treatment was replicated four times with three plants per experimental unit. Growth parameters measured included leaf number, plant height, and root volume at 0, 3, 9, and 12 weeks after transplanting. Results showed that the M1 treatment consistently produced superior growth performance across all parameters. At 12 weeks after transplanting, M1 achieved 21.44 leaves (53.1% increase), 38.69 cm plant height (48.7% increase), and 44.67 cm³ root volume (108.3% increase) compared to the control. Higher dosages (M2 and M3) showed diminishing returns, indicating excessive inoculum application may cause unfavorable carbon allocation dynamics. This study concludes that 10 g mycorrhizal inoculum per plant is the optimal dosage for enhancing robusta coffee cutting growth in Ultisol nursery systems.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a vegetable that is quite popular among various groups in Indonesia. Eggplant production in Indonesia in 2023 reached 699,896 tons and decreased to 675,397 tons in 2024 (BPS, 2025). With this level of productivity, eggplant plants are more susceptible to pests, one of which is Thrips. Thrips palmi usually attacks the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Damage caused by Thrips attacks on eggplant plants is characterized by silvery spots and physiological disorders on the leaves, leading to the growth of fungi that spread disease. This study was conducted in Nanggela Village, Mandirancan District, Kuningan Regency, at an altitude of ±200-300 m above sea level with a tropical climate ranging from 24°C to 33°C and an average temperature of 28°C. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of types of plant-based pesticides and their concentrations, namely clove leaf extract, garlic extract, and lemongrass extract, each of which had concentrations of 50ml/L water, 100ml/L water, and 150ml/L water. The results of the experiment showed that plant-based pesticides from garlic extract with a concentration of 100 ml/L of water had a significant effect on the intensity of attacks and damage caused by thrips, plant height, number of leaves, and crop yield in eggplant plants.

Reality shows that there is an income gap between farmers partnered with PT Tani Bawang Sejahtera and non-partner farmers, even though ideally partnerships should be able to promote equitable profits. This study aims to: 1) analyze the partnership pattern between PT Tani Bawang Sejahtera and its partner farmers; and 2) analyze the income differences between PT Tani Bawang Sejahtera partner farmers and non-partner farmers. This research was conducted in Babakan Subdistrict, Cirebon Regency, with the research process taking place from October 2025 to January 2026. The research design is considered a comparative quantitative study with a survey research technique. The population of this study consists of red onion farmers who are both partners and non-partners. Data analysis was conducted using a two-sample independent mean difference test (independent sample t-test). The study results showed that partner farmers had an average production cost of IDR. 175,610,184, revenue of IDR. 445,726,071, and income of IDR. 270,115,887, while non-partner farmers had a production cost of IDR. 174,596,638, revenue of IDR. 292,063,141, and income of IDR. 117,466,503. Based on the difference test analysis using the independent sample t-test, the significance was found to be 0.000 and the mean difference was positive, indicating a difference between the incomes of partner and non-partner farmers, with partner farmers having a higher average income.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important horticultural crop in Indonesia; however, its productivity is frequently constrained by thrips infestation (Thrips palmi). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of insecticide active ingredients and Ronstick surfactant in reducing the intensity of T. palmi attacks on eggplant plants. The research was conducted in Ender Village, Pangenan District, Cirebon Regency, from May to August 2025 using a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of abamectin, dinotefuran, and their combinations, each applied with Ronstick surfactant at concentrations of 1–2 ml/L, and a control without insecticide. The results showed that insecticide–surfactant combinations significantly reduced thrips population and attack intensity compared to the control. The combination of abamectin + dinotefuran with surfactant at 2 ml/L was the most effective treatment. These findings indicate that appropriate insecticide–surfactant combinations can enhance thrips control efficiency while supporting more rational insecticide use.

Improving oil palm production can be achieved through better cultivation management, including proper nursery practices. The quality of seedlings at the early growth stage plays a crucial role in determining field performance, making efficient fertilization essential from the pre-nursery phase. One of the fertilization technologies developed to improve nutrient uptake efficiency is the application of Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CRF compared with conventional NPK fertilizer on the growth of oil palm seedlings. The experiment was conducted for three months using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments: no fertilizer (P0), NPK (P1), NPK + CRF (P2), and CRF (P3). Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 5% significance level, followed by the LSD test when significant differences were detected. The results showed that treatments P2, P3, and P4 produced better growth responses than the control in all observed parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, leaf greenness, stem diameter, and leaf area. Fertilizer application significantly improved seedling growth, while CRF, either applied alone or in combination with NPK, produced growth responses comparable to conventional fertilization. These findings indicate that CRF has the potential to be used as an effective fertilization alternative to support oil palm seedling growth in the pre-nursery.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a leading horticultural commodity in Cirebon Regency, boasting a diverse array of local varieties with distinct fruit characteristics. Varietal identification has traditionally been based on morphological characteristics, but this method is often inaccurate due to environmental factors. Therefore, a more stable and objective molecular-based approach is needed, one of which is Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis. This study aims to characterize the genetic diversity of mangoes in Cirebon using SNP markers as a basis for kinship information and potential variety development. The research methods included leaf sampling from several local Cirebon mango varieties, genomic DNA isolation, DNA amplification using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, and sequencing analysis to identify SNP variations. The SNP data obtained were analyzed to assess genetic diversity and kinship among mango varieties. The results showed genetic differences between local mango varieties that could be clearly distinguished using SNP markers. In conclusion, SNP-based characterization of Cirebon mango is effective for revealing genetic diversity and can serve as a basis for variety identification, preservation of local germplasm, and support for mango breeding and development programs in the Cirebon region.

Women play a strategic role in the agricultural sector and family food security, yet they still face limited access to agricultural education, technology, and decision-making. This situation contributes to low levels of empowerment of female farmers, particularly in rural areas. This study aims to analyze women's empowerment through sustainable agricultural education, using a case study in Karangcangkring Village, Gresik Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a case study approach with descriptive qualitative methods supported by simple quantitative data. Data collection was conducted through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, pre- and post-activity questionnaires, and focus group discussions. The analysis of women's empowerment was conducted with reference to the cognitive, economic, social, and institutional dimensions. The results indicate that sustainable agricultural education has a positive impact on increasing the empowerment of female farmers. The most significant improvements occurred in the cognitive and social dimensions, demonstrated by increased agricultural technical knowledge, self-confidence, and women's active participation in group activities and decision-making. The economic and institutional dimensions also showed positive, albeit gradual, developments, particularly in production management, post-harvest management, and women's involvement in agricultural group structures. Overall, sustainable agricultural education not only improves the technical capacity of women farmers but also strengthens their agency, social participation, and position within rural agricultural livelihood systems. This research confirms that the integration of gender-sensitive agricultural education is a crucial strategy for empowering women farmers and promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural development at the village level.