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methods should work with any seeds that are now being used. No purchase of new seeds or the use of new high-yielding varieties HYV is required, although some
of the highest yields obtained using SRI have been from the HYVs of paddy. The SRI practices for paddy cultivation now being recommended to farmers
in Indonesia, particularly in Java, can be categorized as organic rice farming. The applications of organic rice farming by farmers are mostly sponsored by
non-government organizations NGOs. Despite the arguments and criticisms among the rice scientists, the application of SRI method in rice production is
growing among the farmers in West Java including the District of Sukabumi. This district seems to have the potential in developing the SRI method. Beside the good
and long experience in rice farming of the farmers, this district also has relatively large area of paddy field with technical irrigation and other infrastructures.
Furthermore, the existence of a training center of rice organic farming with SRI located in this district NOSC would have an important role in supporting the
development of rice organic farming intensification with SRI in this district. This system seems to be a revolution of paddy cultivation to most farmers in
Asia including those from the District of Sukabumi. In fact, farmers have to have an open mind to adopt new methods and a willingness to experiment. It might
take some years to get confidence that these methods could consistently raise production so substantially. Therefore, some more in-depth researches still need to
be conducted concerning the socio-economic, technical, as well as environmental aspects. One of the research themes at macro level is the analysis on the potential
sustainability of the SRI method when applied in larger scale using modeling approach.
1.2. Objective
The objective of this study was to analyze the sustainability of organic farming in rice intensification in the District of Sukabumi through modeling
approach by considering the following aspects: 1 Productivity and profitability in organic rice production with SRI.
2 Awareness and attitude of farmers towards the SRI method.
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3 Potential production of organic fertilizers to supply the requirement in the development of organic rice farming with SRI in the District of Sukabumi.
1.3. Problem Statement
Basically, the concept of SRI comprises certain management practices for intensive and efficient paddy rice cultivation. The management practices involve
transplanting method and management of soil, nutrient and water which provide better rice plants conditions, particularly in the root zone. This method is different
from the traditional one with constant field flooding that has been practiced by Asian farmers for thousands of years. SRI is based on the fact that paddy is not
aquatic plant but it needs more water in the right time. Therefore, flooding is not necessary and less water is needed through the use of periodical intermittent
irrigation, although increased weeding is required. To some extent, flooding is even detrimental to paddy plants, i.e., retarding the development of root and the
growth of tillers. Despite the successfulness of the SRI in rice production as claimed in many
countries including in Indonesia as stated above, there is still a big question about the sustainability of this system when practiced in large scale, especially the
sustainability of the organic matter supplies appropriate for fertilizing the soil. So far SRI has only been tried in small scale where water requirement and organic
fertilizers were still manageable. The sustainability of this organic farming system would still be in question when it is applied in large scale due to its promising
future in intensive rice production. The change from the traditional system into this SRI system might cause some changes in socio-economic, technical, as well
as environmental aspects of the rice production. Some of the problems that might be encountered when SRI system is applied in large scale among others are:
a Change in environmental factors related to paddy cultivation, particularly in soil ecology, when the irrigation is changed from flooding to intermittent
system. This will include the soil microorganisms and chemical compounds produced.
b SRI method requires good water management, i.e., water should always be available and easily managed when needed for intermittent irrigation system.
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Block to block irrigation as traditionally applied in paddy fields cannot be suitable to the intermittent method required in SRI. New irrigation scheme
and land consolidation might be needed in order to apply appropriately the SRI system in large scale.
c Recently organic farming is recommended to produce organic rice which is preferable by consumers and has less environmental impact compared to the
utilization of chemicals. Large quantity of organic materials or biomass as the source of organic fertilizers such as compost and bokashi is required. In
small scale, it can be provided by the farmer locally. In large scale, however, the production of organic fertilizers must be in industrial scale which requires
secured sources of raw materials. d A new approach in macro socio-economic systems related to the adoption of
SRI is needed to develop in order that it can be appropriately applied for efficient and profitable agri-businesses involving intensive rice farming,
animal farming and organic fertilizer industry.
1.4. Hypothesis
