Increase Rice Production Research Articles

PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN, PERSEPSI DAN RESPON PENYULUH TERHADAP TEKNOLOGI PENINGKATAN PRODUKTIVITAS PADI

The increase in rice production in Central Java is mainly in increasing productivity rather than increasing the planted area. New superior varieties of rice (VUB) are one of the technological innovation breakthroughs that can increase rice productivity and farmers' income. Disease control strategies through an epidemiological control approach for bacterial leaf blight and brown plant hoppers also need to be disseminated to extension workers through technical meetings. Technical meeting is a meeting forum between researchers/instructors of IAARD and technology users (instructors in the field and agricultural officers) in order to communicate/socialize technology and innovations to be used as agricultural extension materials. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the technical meeting method in increasing the knowledge, perceptions and responses of extension officers about technology to increase rice productivity. The study was carried out using a true experiment approach by evaluating pre-test and post-test surveys. The technical meeting was held on May 25, 2021 at AIAT Central Java Jl. Soekarno Hatta KM 26 No 10 Semarang Regency with 40 participants. Sampling was using purposive sampling method as many as 40 respondents. Data of knowledge improvement were analysed by calculating the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test followed by the paired t-test. Meanwhile, perception and response data were analysed by descriptive method. The knowledge improvement after obtaining the technology material increased by 14.44% and had a perception and response in the high/positive category towards the introduced technological innovation. With the increase in knowledge, perceptions and positive responses, it is hoped that extension workers can play a positive role in making the material at the technical meeting as extension material in each work area.

UJI ADAPTASI VARIETAS UNGGUL BARU PADI MELALUI PENGELOLAAN TANAMAN TERPADU

Variety is one of the important components that contribute to increasing rice productivity and farm income. The purpose of the study is to obtain high productivity adaptive VUB and increase farmers' income to support organic farming. The study was conducted in Subak Timpag, Kerambitan, Tabanan, Bali Province in 2017 covering an area of ​​4 hectares using organic fertilizer PTT technology. The varieties used were Inpari 19, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33, and Mekongga as comparison. The variables observed were the components of growth, yield, and farming. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, single factor RAK with seven varieties as treatment with 10 replications. Farming costs and income were analyzed using income analysis and financial feasibility. The results of statistical analysis of several VUB treatments had a very significant effect on some growth and yields. VUB that can adapt well are Inpari 30, 19 and 31 varieties with a productivity of 7.87; 7.30 and 6.85 tons/ha. The average productivity increase is 1.64 tons/ha GKG or an increase of 29.88%. The results of the analysis of the costs used increased by 11.88%, but revenues also increased by 23.11% so that the average increase in income was 34.97% or Rp. 3,400,000.00 per ha, with an increase in the R/C ratio before and after assistance of 0.20 or 10.03%. The application of PTT technology is able to increase lowland rice productivity and can economically increase rice farming income, to support organic agriculture in Bali Province.

Health Impact Assessment from Rice Straw Production in Cambodia

Rice is a staple crop best known for its crucial role in feeding humans. In Cambodia, the human population depends on rice as its staple food. Increased rice production results in an increase in straw residue. The extensive residue caused by straw burning significantly contributes to high concentrations of air pollution, which are associated with critical health issues. As such, our objective in this study was to assess the human health impact of rice straw production in Cambodia. In this assessment, we focused on primary and secondary fine particulate matter formation (PM2.5, NH3, NOx, and SO2) from fertilizer, combustion of fuel in rice production processing, and burning of straw. We assessed endpoint impact by the following methods: (1) We estimated the proportion of rice straw from the annual rice production of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia subjected to open burning in all 25 Cambodian provinces. (2) We calculated air pollutants emissions in terms of kilograms of pollutants per ton of rice produced by following the air pollutant emission inventory (EI) in the EMEP/EEA Guidebook for 2019, using data for fertilizer and fuel combustion that was applied in the field, based on a face-to-face survey of farmers. (3) We analyzed health impact in terms of DALYs using the characterization factor (CF) adapted from the ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 method. The results showed that the total health impact of rice straw production was 13,093.50 DALYs. Our analysis showed that open burning alone contributed 98.55% of the total health impact considered in this study, while fertilizers and combustion contributed only 0.12% and 1.33%, respectively. As the major of the total health impact arose from open burning, a policy of zero open burnings should be an effective way to reduce health impacts. These findings provide information for policymakers on how to alleviate air quality issues caused by the practice of open straw burning by adopting alternative techniques of rice straw management.

PENINGKATAN PRODUKTIVITAS PADI MENGGUNAKAN PUPUK HAYATI DI LAHAN PASANG SURUT TIPE B

Rice productivity in tidal land is still low due to the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil. The research was carried out in January-May 2020 on tidal land type B, Maluka Baulin Village, Kurau District, Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province. The aim of the study was to determine the best combination of fertilizer doses in increasing rice productivity. The treatments included (A) farmer treatment (200 kg urea + 150 kg phonska + 500 kg dolomite)/ha; (B) farmer treatment + liquid fertilizer (6 liters/ha); (C) (200 kg urea + 300 kg phonska + 1,000 kg dolomite + 100 kg KCl + 100 kg SP-36 + 500 kg crumb fertilizer + 6 liters of liquid fertilizer)/ha; and (D) (200 kg urea + 300 kg phonska + 1,000 kg dolomite + 100 kg KCl + 100 kg SP-36 + 250 kg crumb fertilizer + 3 liters of liquid fertilizer)/ha. The treatment used a nested design with four replications. M400 rice seeds were planted with the Jarwo 4:1 system. Observations were made on the chemical properties of the soil before planting, growth and productivity of rice. The results showed that all parameters, except the number of tillers aged 60 DAP and before harvest were strongly influenced by the treatment. The highest productivity resulted from treatment D.

Application of Cultivation Technology for Rice (Oryza sativa L. ) in Three Sectors of Rain Patterns in South Sulawesi

This study aimed to determine the effect of each component of cultivation technology application on the production of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) in South Sulawesi. This research was carried out in three rain-type sectors within South Sulawesi Province, namely Maros for the West Sector, Bone for the East Sector, and North Luwu for the Transitional sector. A study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 in the form of a survey (study literature, observation, and interviews), with the selection of samples carried out purposively to 90 respondents. Data analysis employed multiple linear regression with SPSS software. The results showed that the average rice production in Maros, Bone and North Luwu regencies, South Sulawesi, was still relatively low, Maros Regency was 7,032 kg per ha, Bone was 5,020 kg per ha and North Luwu was 6,497 kg per ha. The multiple regression equation for rice production in Maros, Bone and North Luwu Regencies, South Sulawesi is Y = 3354,185 -17,751X1 – 4,044X2 +36,839X3 . Factors from the aspect of cultivation technology application can increase rice production. Variables of cropping system, irrigation system, and fertilizer dose had a significant effect on rice production, while the variables of varieties and harvest time did not have a significant effect on rice production.

ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL RICE AVAILABILITY TOWARDS SELF-SUPPORT WITH A DYNAMIC MODEL APPROACH

The purpose of this paper is to find out and project the effect of expansion of planting area or the effect of intensification and addition of production credit on increasing rice production so that it can be used as one of the recommendations in achieving and maintaining national rice self-sufficiency. The research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method. The data used is secondary data, namely data on production and prices of Indonesian rice in 1993 – 2015. The data analysis method used is dynamic model analysis by producing price and production policies. The research was conducted with the help of IThink software. Based on the results of the processing and analysis of the existing data, it can be concluded that: (1) Variables that affect the yield of rice production and the achievement of self-sufficiency are extensification, intensification, and per capita consumption of rice per year; (2) Rice self-sufficiency can be achieved by Indonesia in 2024 or 2025 with a production target of 40 million tons if changes are made to these key factors; (3) The policy that needs to be done is to increase extensification and intensification by absorbing technology and adding inputs or capital through production credit and reducing rice consumption by 8% through the one day no rice program in one week.

Farmers' Interest in Implementing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Supports Increasing Paddy Productivity in Northern Sumatra

This study examines farmers' interest in implementing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Northern Sumatra. Climate change is one of the environmental factors that can have a negative impact on lowland rice productivity due to several abiotic factors such as rainfall, drought, flooding, temperature and solar radiation that affect rice production. The aim of this study is to examine the level of interest of lowland rice farmers in implementing CSA and to examine the factors that influence the interest of lowland rice farmers in implementing CSA in Northern Sumatra. This type of research is descriptive quantitative by testing 5 variables X (education, farming experience, characteristics of innovation, the role of government, and role extension) and Variable Y (Farmers interest). Respondents were 44 farmers and the sampling technique was Non Probability Random Sampling. Data were analyzed by Multiple Linear Regression. The result of the analysis is that the influence of variable X simultaneously is 62.3% on variable Y (farmers' interest). The influences of partial variables are X1 (14.7%), X2 (33.5%), X3 (40.6%), X4 (35.5%) and X5 (2.7%). The level of interest of farmers to the application of CSA in increasing rice production in the sub-district is 76.3% or in high category.

Zeolite enhances phosphorus accumulation, translocation, and partitioning in rice under alternate wetting and drying

Zeolite can increase fertilizer use efficiency in rice production. Zeolite’s positive effect on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) utilization has been validated in lowland paddy fields, but little information is available on its effect on P accumulation, translocation, and partitioning in lowland rice, especially under water stress. We conducted a two-year field experiment to evaluate the effect of zeolite and irrigations on soil P availability, dry matter accumulation, and P accumulation, partitioning, and translocation. Regardless of irrigation, zeolite application accumulated greater dry matter (DM) across growth stages than the non-zeolite control (Z 0 ). A zeolite application rate of 10 t ha −1 (Z 10 ) increased soil available P, plant P accumulation, stem and leaf P translocation, and panicle P partitioning across growth stages compared to Z 0 . Z 10 increased grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and economic benefit by 21.4%, 35.5%, and 20.9%, respectively, compared to Z 0 . For the irrigation treatments, alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) increased DM and shoot P accumulation at all stages (except DM at tillering and shoot P accumulation at tillering and yellow ripening) relative to continuous flooding (CF). AWD produced similar grain yields but higher WUE than CF. Significant correlations between grain yield, shoot P accumulation, and soil available P indicated that zeolite enhanced grain yield by improving soil P availability and plant P uptake. These results showed that 10 t ha −1 zeolite combined with AWD irrigation achieved the highest soil available P, plant P accumulation, grain yield, WUE, and economic benefit, and could be an alternative management option for improving fertilizer P utilization, increasing rice production, and enhancing farmer profits in water-deficient regions. • Zeolite application increased soil P availability and plant P accumulation. • Zeolite application (10 t ha −1 ) increased P translocation in stems and leaves and P partitioning in panicles. • Grain yield positively correlated with shoot P accumulation and soil P availability. • Zeolite application (10 t ha −1 ) combined with AWD achieved the highest grain yield, WUE, and economic benefit.

The Effects of the Application of Trichoderma Asperellum and Biochar on Growth and Productivity of Rice Cultivated by the SRI Method and on Soil Quality

Continuous use of chemical fertilizers to increase productivity often causes disruption to essential soil nutrients and environmental degradation and adversely affects soil rhizosphere microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the joint application of Trichoderma asperellum and biochar for increasing rice productivity using the SRI method and for improving the quality of paddy fields. This study consisted of eight treatments: T0BC (standard application of NPK without Trichoderma asperellum and biochar), T1BG (Trichoderma asperellum + NPK), T2BC (husk biochar + NPK), T3BC (coconut shell biochar + NPK), T4BC (mangrove biochar mangove + NPK), T5BG (Trichoderma asperellum + husk biochar + NPK), T6BC (Trichoderma asperellum + coconut shell biochar + NPK), and T7BC (Trichoderma asperellum + mangrove biochar + NPK). A randomized block research design was applied with three replications. Observations were conducted on plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index, number of panicles, number of pithy grains, number of empty grains, yield per pot, yield per hectare, and soil nutrient. The results showed that the application of a combination of Trichoderma asperellum and positive biochar increased the observed growth and yields 55.31% higher than the full dose of inorganic fertilizer. Combined application also increased pH, total N, available P, and Kdd, thereby increasing the nutrient content of paddy fields. Collectively, Trichoderma asperellum and biochar increased soil fertility and nutrient absorption, and encouraging the growth of Trichoderma asperellum increased the population in the rhizosphere.

Understanding Farmer Perception and Impact of Seasonal Climate Event on Rice Farming in Indonesia: Implication for Adaptation Policy in Local Level

The study aimed to understand how farmers perceive seasonal climate events (SCE) and assess the impact on farming and how farmers’ attitudes and efforts to adapt in dealing with SCE. This study was conducted in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia, in August - December 2020. Total of 297 farmers was selected purposively to be interviewed. Descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze socio-demographics, farm characteristics, the impact of SCE on rice production, and farmers’ responses in adapting to SCE as an effect of climate change. Friedman’s test was used to analyzed the importance of climate over other non-climate-related stressors. Ordinal regression analysis was performed for the determination of possible association of farmers’ socio-demographics and farm characteristics to the perceived extent of SCE impact. Flood was the climatic factor that most often caused rice production failure. Farming experience, education, gender, farm size, cultivation period, rice varieties, land management, fertilization, rice field type, and farming purpose have a significant effect on farmers' perceptions of SCE impact. Adjusting the planting season, the use of chemical fertilizers, and controlling pests and diseases were the most dominant responses by farmers in dealing with SCE. Implications: The availability of weather information must be done massively, induction of flood-tolerant varieties needs to be carried out, female farmers with higher education and long experience in farming can be used as cadres as extension officers to farmer groups, planting twice a year was an option to increase rice production, the number of farmers get assistance from extension officers could be increased.

Kelayakan Air Tanah untuk Irigasi Pertanian Menggunakan Sodium Arbsoption Ratio (SAR)

Irrigation has an important role and is one of the keys to success in increasing rice production in paddy fields. Trimulyo Village is one of the areas in Jetis District, Bantul Regency has the majority of people as farmers. There is no information about groundwater quality as agricultural feasibility in the area is the background of this research. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of groundwater quality for agricultural irrigation using the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) method in Trimulyo Village, Jetis District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The method used in this study was the testing of 2 groundwater samples in the laboratory and field observation of geology and geomorphology conditions. The parameters used are chemical parameters which include Sodium or Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg). Based on the results of laboratory tests and data analysis, that groundwater sample 1 had a SAR value of 0,63 then groundwater sample 2 had 0,75. Both groundwater samples have a water classification of Excellent or Very Good for agricultural irrigation.

Peran Penyedia Barang Langsung Dan Jasa oleh Dinas Pangan dan Pertanian Dalam Meningkatkan Produksi Padi di Kabupaten Sidoarjo

Etymologically, the role means someone who performs an action where the action is expected by other people. This means that every action that each individual has has an important meaning for some people. The agency has several programs to increase rice production, starting from carrying out activities to control OPT (Plant Destruction Organisms), providing pesticide assistance, coordinating with related parties for irrigation arrangements and optimizing the use of water pumps. However, in carrying out its role, the Food and Agriculture Service has several obstacles encountered in the field, including the Service has not been able to ensure the availability of fertilizers, limitations in human resources and budgets that have caused rice production in Sidoarjo Regency to decline. This study used descriptive qualitative methods. The data were obtained through observation, documentation, and interviews with the Head of Facilities and Infrastructure, the Head of Planning, and a combination of farmer groups. Data analysis techniques in this study are data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that the government's role as a direct provision of goods and services cannot be carried out optimally by the Food and Agriculture Service, especially in providing fertilizer according to the request of the farmers because the subsidized fertilizer stock provided by the Service is still incomplete. In addition, the Department of Food and Agriculture has not been able to provide a complete machine tool for farmer groups in Sidoarjo Regency.

SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF RAINFED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA) IN FLOOD PLAIN OF SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH ZONE OF NIGERIA

The flood plain of Awe in Southern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria was studied for rice production. The physical, morphological and chemical properties of the soils were matched with the requirements of the rice production and the overall suitability rating of the soils was obtained using limitation method. The soils were deep (101cm – 170cm) and well drained, poorly to very poorly drained. The soils were fine textured and strongly to moderately acidic and slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 5.10 – 7.15). The percentage sand fraction ranged from 44.8% to 83.1%; silt 5.4% to 9.4% and clay 9.4% to 46.7%. They had low to moderate organic carbon (0.41% to 3.52%); total N (0.04% to 0.11%); available P (1.64mglkg-1 to 3.72mg/kg-1), total exchangeable bases (2.85cmol/kg-1 to 7.97cmol/kg-1), CEC (4.10cmol/kg-1 to 7.98cmol/kg-1), base saturation (65% to 97.5%) and Fe2+ (1.10 to 2.11). Soils of the three flood levels (toeslope or deep swamp, medium or lower slope, levee or shallow swamp) were rated highly to suitable (S1) because of the soils ability to retain water during the growth period with the favourable physical and chemical characteristics such as climate, slope, water levels, pH and texture. Management practices such as organic matter incorporation, liming to increase soil pH, fertilizer application and appropriate time of planting are hereby recommended for increased rice production in the mapping units that are not highly suitable for rice production in the study area.

Performance of tungro disease resistant rice lines in Lanrang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Efforts to increase rice production and productivity nationally are still being disturbed by plant pest organisms. One of the diseases that have received serious attention is the tungro disease, which has the ability to attack rice plants in endemic areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the resistance of several rice lines towards the Lanrang South Sulawesi tungro virus inoculum including morphological characteristics. This study was conducted at the Tungro Disease Research station from June to September 2020. A total of 14 lines were tested for resistance compared to the Tukad Petanu, Tukad Balian, Inpari 8 and Tukad Unda lines against the tungro disease. The rice lines were planted in the form of an augmented design consisting of five blocks. Each block contained three test lines and four comparison varieties, the lines were planted in plots (1 × 5) m, with 25 × 25 cm spacings. The results showed that the population of green leafhoppers at the age of 20 DAP and 30 DAP was found to range from 1 to 95 individuals per line/variety, while the incidence of tungro disease was 1.3 to 11.3% in the three test lines, namely STLRG17 15 LR 1, STLRG17 15 LR 2, and STLRG17 108 LR 1. The highest 1000 seed weight was found in the STLRG17 176 LR 2 line (25.1 g) and the lowest was STLRG17 51 LR 1 (17.6 g). The STLRG17 175 LR 1, STLRG17 176 LR, STLRG17 -175-LR-1, STLRG17-28-LR-1, and STLRG17-26-LR-2 5 lines had a fairly good and consistent appearance at 1000 seed weight, higher yield, productive tillers, plant height, and resistance to tungro disease compared to the comparison varieties.

Evaluation of Phenotypic Responses of Selected Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars to Hexavalent Chromium Stress in Soil

The current work is designed to search for suitable rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars capable of growing on Cr(VI), hexavalent chromium contaminated soils. The study of tolerance and phenotypical changes of three selected rice cultivars like Bina Dhan 11, Kalachampa, and Pratikshya, at the seedling stages, was done under soil Cr(VI) concentrations up to 300 mg.kg-1 of soil. The 7-day seedlings of these rice cultivars growing on Cr(VI) treated soils were found to exhibit a significant reduction in shoot and root growth at p ≤ 0.05. The experimental results support that 7-day seedlings of Bina Dhan 11 were found to be the best among the three cultivars under soil Cr(VI) stress conditions. The present work may help in selecting suitable rice cultivar for paddy cultivation on Cr(VI) contaminated crop lands present in mining and industrial belts. Further work on this aspect may be useful in increasing rice productivity, catering to the increase in demand for food.

Seizing opportunity towards sustainable rice cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa

Increasing rice production on a sustainable basis is a major challenge to research for development in sub-Saharan Africa. However, apart from yield, little efforts have been made to benchmark related performance indicators (PIs) including net profit, labor productivity, and nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies (NUE and PUE). The objectives of this study are to (i) assess these PIs and their determinants, and (ii) identify areas needed to improve them. Data were collected from 2,060 farmers in irrigated lowland (IL), rainfed lowland (RL), and rainfed upland (RU) rice production systems across two agroecological zones (semi-arid and subhumid) in the 2018/19 wet season at 18 sites in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania. Average yields were 4,952, 2,988, and 1,816 kg ha −1 in IL, RL, and RU. Higher yield was associated with higher profit. Labor productivity was 55 kg day −1 in IL, 75 kg day −1 in RL, and 49 kg day −1 in RU. Labor productivity was generally low because of limited use of agricultural equipment. NUE and PUE differed across production systems: 17%, 42%, and 49% of farmers had below desirable NUE (<40 kg grain kg −1 N) in IL, RL, and RU. Meanwhile, 62%, 44%, and 34% of farmers had above desirable PUE (100–250 kg grain kg P −1 ) in IL, RL, and RU, indicating a need to increase P application to avoid soil P mining. Cluster analysis of PIs identified four groups across 24 site–production system combinations. The low-performing group had larger field size, lower values for five PIs, and poorer crop management practices. These results suggest opportunities for improving rice productivity in low-performing groups through introduction of integrated crop management options, including improved crop and nutrient management together with labor-saving technologies such as mechanization.

Closing rice yield gaps in Africa requires integration of good agricultural practices

Despite decades of international research and development efforts focusing on increased rice production in Africa, there is large yield gap, and the local production still needs to be complemented by rice imports to meet consumption demands. This paper aims to provide an overview of published research findings on rice yield gaps and the effects of ‘good agricultural practices’ (GAPs) on rice yield and nutrient use efficiency. The majority of previous studies were from irrigated lowlands, and quantified rice yield gaps as farmer-based (difference between ‘actual yield’ and ‘best farmers’ yield’) and model-based yield gaps (difference between ‘actual yield’ and ‘potential yield for irrigated and water-limited potential yield for rainfed rice’). The mean farmer- and model-based yield gaps were 3.1 and 5.0 t ha–1 for irrigated lowland (IL); 3.1 and 7.7 t ha–1 for rainfed lowland (RL); 2.0 and 6.0 t ha–1 for rainfed upland (RU), respectively in Africa. An analysis of studies from literature on GAPs in Africa revealed that most studies (64 %) were from IL and a wide range of yield increases following individual components of GAPs across environments. A median yield increase of 1.0 t ha–1 was achieved with improved water conservation practices in IL, whereas improved weed management increased yields by 0.7 t ha–1, mainly in IL compared to farmers’ practices. Application of inorganic fertilizers and/or organic amendments increased the yield by 0.8–1.2 t ha–1 across the environments. Integration of GAPs increased the median yield by 2.1 and 1.5 t ha–1 in IL and RL, respectively. The calculated agronomic efficiency of N, P and K from fertilizer experiments were within the desirable levels mainly in the IL and RL environments and comparable to the values from similar environments in Asia. For instance, the agronomic efficiency of N was 21, 13 and 12 kg kg–1, respectively for IL, RL and RU in Africa. Although rice yield gaps in Africa can be substantially reduced by introduction of integrated GAPs to farmers, there is large difference between model-based yield gaps and yield gain obtained by integrated GAPs. Further efforts are needed to identify factors causing this difference. We recommend a research and development focus on rainfed lowland rice systems, which have the largest model-based yield gaps by partially converting them to irrigated systems, and on improving nutrient use efficiencies and closing nutrient cycles.

DAMPAK PENGGUNAAN ALAT MESIN PERTANIAN TERHADAP KESEJAHTERAAN PETANI

The large budget of agricultural machine tools is expected to increase rice production so that the welfare level of farmers can also increase. However, this is inversely proportional, because throughout 2011 to 2018 the average level of welfare of farmers reflected in the NTPP is still below 100. Therefore this study purpose to knowing the impact of the use of agricultural machine tools type of two-wheeled tractor, rice trsanplanter, and water pump on welfare of farmers. The data used are secondary data consisting of two-wheeled tractor data, rice transplanters, water pumps, rice production, and NTPP based on provinces in Indonesia from 2011-2017. While the research method used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the impact of Alsintan type of two-wheeled tractor and water pump had a positive and significant impact on the production and welfare of farmers. But, the type of rice trsanplanter has a negative and significant impact on the production and welfare of farmers. The recommendations given are firstly the calculation formula for procurement and distribution of agricultural machine tools by calculating the area of land and the level of welfare of farmers. Second, recipients of agricultural machine tools assistance for government agencies in the Province / District or the alsintan brigade are deleted.

Evaluating crop models to assess rice yield potential in Argentina

Due to the high concentration of the rice production in Asia, the study and comprehension of rice producing chains outside this continent are key to guarantee the global food security. The objectives of this study were to validate the SimulArroz and ORYZA v3 crop simulation models for rice production in Argentina, estimate the yield potential (Yp) for different sowing dates with both models, and estimate how much Argentina can increase rice production in the current agricultural area by reducing the yield gap. Two contrasting rice models (ORYZA v3 and SimulArroz) were used. Besides both are mechanistic models, Simularroz model requires fewer coefficients than ORYZA v3,. which may increase the systematic error. The coefficient of determination between simulated and measured values was at least 0.74 for grain yield and 0.97 for phenology. RMSEn values for phenology ranged from 5.7% to 9.4%. Both models simulated grain yield accurately at high yield levels (>13 ​Mg ​ha−1) with an RMSE <0.5 ​Mg ha-1. The average irrigated rice Yp for subtropical Argentina estimated by the SimulArroz model ranged from 3.8 to 15.6 ​Mg ​ha−1, and from 7.6 to 14.3 ​Mg ​ha−1 in the ORYZA v3. The differences in the Yp between the models were due to different approaches in the calculation of thermal sum and radiation use efficiency. The increase in the rice production in Argentina if the fields close the exploitable gap (80% of the Yp) would be 42% of the current total rice production or 916,091 ​Mg annually.

Improving Rice Production Efficiency in Myanmar by Controlling for Environmental Production Factors

Rice is the dominant crop in Myanmar and central to the agricultural economy. To increase rice productivity, farmers&amp;rsquo; production performance is vital. This requires adjusting the availability of physical production inputs in response to environmental conditions. Very few studies have focused on the effects of relevant environmental conditions in Myanmar, including the impact of weather shocks during the rice production. This study aimed to the improve rice production based on the present performance of rice farmers, while controlling the impact of adverse environmental conditions. Information on rice production was extracted randomly from in-depth interviews with rice farmers in the Ayeyarwady Delta region. The Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier function was applied to examine the effects of the underestimated environmental factors. Erratic rainfall and excessive temperature during early growth stage have a significant negative impact on monsoon rice productivity. During the 2018-2019 monsoon cropping season, different levels of yield loss due to weather shock negatively affected rice farmers&amp;rsquo; production efficiency. Controlling the environmental conditions improved technical efficiency from 88% to 93%. Based on these findings, policy makers and stakeholders should invest in climate services development, thus enhancing farmers&amp;rsquo; understanding of weather variability and upscaling the use of local climate adaptation strategies in accordance with the Myanmar Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy.