ASSESSING THE POLICY POTENTIAL OF VERY-EARLY MATURING RICE FOR INDONESIA’S FOOD SECURITY THROUGH AGRO-SOCIOECONOMIC AND AGRIBUSINESS APPROACH

Abstract

Indonesia's rice production is anticipated to face increasing challenges due to heightened climate variability, which manifests as erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.The current production systems and medium-duration rice varieties may struggle to cope.Although the nation's rice output presently surpasses domestic consumption, this balance could become precarious as climate unpredictability disrupts planting schedules and reduces effective growing seasons.As a result, future rice cultivation will need to adopt climate-resilient and very-early-maturing varieties to minimize exposure to end-of-season climatic stress.To support evidence development, a multidisciplinary approach is needed for comprehensive policy development.Therefore, this study assessed the policy potential of very-earlymaturing rice using a multidisciplinary approach by agronomic, economic, social, agribusiness, and policy perspectives.The research included field trials in Bajeng, Gowa, South Sulawesi, using a split-split plot design to test planting systems, pruning, fertilization, and varieties; farm business analysis to calculate profitability and R/C ratio; and a survey of 158 South Sulawesi farmers analyzed using RStudio.The findings indicate that the square planting method and broader spacing of 25-30 cm are beneficial for developing ideotype tillers.The combination of nutrient and cultivation management, including balanced fertilization with a focus on nitrogen, compost, lime, and the practice of alternate wetting and drying (AWD), increased productive tillers, improved water efficiency, and improved productivity, resulting in 15 productive tillers.Compost increased yields by ~1 t ha⁻¹ and seasonal profits, although R/C ratio growth was limited by rising costs.Economically, Cakrabuana, Padjadjaran, and Inpari 13 showed the highest profitability among very-early varieties.The combined system increased planting intensity and annual profits compared with conventional methods.Socially and agribusiness-wise, farmers highly accepted very-early varieties, citing suitability for short seasons, increased cropping index, and income potential.Young farmers and extension officers were significant in expanding adoption.Policy implications underscore integrating adaptive technologies, strengthening seed systems, agribusiness institutions, inclusive financing and developing premium value chains to support sustainable, climate-adaptive, marketoriented rice agriculture.

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