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is mostly of technical system and water is available through out the year. The irrigation pattern is block to block and water is kept at relatively high level to
flood the paddy field as usually applied for traditional system of cultivation. That is why farmers can plant rice two to three times a year if they want to.
The farmer who practices the SRI method in this area Sirajuddin March 18 2006, personal communication has no major problem in the management of
water as recommended, i.e., using intermittent water management system. This is because the number of farmers applying the method is still limited. The problem
may arise when the number of the SRI farmers increase, say, the majority of farmers in a watershed has adopted the method but the irrigation scheme is still
block to block. It would be difficult to manage the irrigation water if the farmers in one area do not cultivate rice simultaneously, or, two different cultivation
methods of rice are practiced in the same area of irrigation scheme. So, a new land consolidation with new irrigation system might be required in order that farmers
could independently manage their irrigation water for whatever cultivation method they use with no conflict of interest. The latter is a very sensitive matter
and can create serious problem if not wisely managed.
3.3.4. Sources of organic fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are used in SRI method due the historical reason of lack of chemical fertilizers in the country where it was invented and the theory that
organic fertilizers can improve soil conditions. Although it is slow, the organic matter can improve the soil structure and provide soil nutrient through the activity
of microorganisms. It was then that the organic farming became the essence of the SRI system.
Again, the farmer practicing the SRI method fully as recommended has no problem with the provision of organic fertilizers. According to the SRI method,
about 5 to 10 tonha of compost is required depending on the soil condition. Farmers can purchase the organic fertilizers in the form of compost or bokashi. Or,
they can produce the organic fertilizers by-themselves using manures of animals, mixed with organic wastes from the local vegetable and fruits market, and other
kinds of biomasses. These can be obtained for free, except for transportation cost.
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Due to the limited number of the SRI farmers, no competition in obtaining manures as one component of the organic fertilizers has occurred among the
farmers. This is true especially for those farmers who also own or rear animals such as poultry, seep, goat, buffalo, cow, etc. Those who do not have animals can
purchase manures from the local poultry, dairy, or cattle farms, if any. The condition described above was the case of individual SRI farmers non-
project in a village in Sukabumi. As long as the number of farmers is still limited, then there is no problem with the sustainability of organic farming in this area, or
other areas Indonesia with the same agro-climatic conditions. But then again, what would happen if the majority of farmers in a certain watershed adopt the SRI
method? Could it be sustainable? The answer might be “yes” if the major conditions, i.e., good water management and availability of organic matter sources,
could be guaranteed. Of course, in-depth economic analysis of this farming system, as well as environmental analysis, is required in the near future.
3.4. Conclusion
