Rice has been the staple food for most Indonesians, so the rice consumption in Indonesia is considerably high. Rice is cultivated in many agroecosystems, including tidal lowlands. Some tidal lowlands are considered suitable for rice cultivation. Therefore, tidal lowlands may support food security in Indonesia. However, productivity remains a problem in which inputs are not used efficiently. This study aims to determine the technical efficiency and identify factors affecting rice production in tidal lowlands of South Sumatra, one of main rice barns in Indonesia. A survey was conducted by interviewing 93 farmers in Telang Rejo Village. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) with output-oriented and variable returns to scale (VRS) approach was applied to measure technical efficiency score from each farm observed. An ordinary least square (OLS) regression with a Cobb-Douglass production function approach was employed to analyse the factors affecting rice production in tidal lowlands of South Sumatra, Indonesia. The results showed that majority of rice farms in the tidal lowlands of South Sumatra Indonesia were inefficient. There were 44 rice farms (47.31%) that were efficient, 5 rice farms (5.38%) that were inefficient under increasing returns to scale and 44 rice farms (47.31%) that were inefficient under decreasing returns to scale. The inputs, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides had positive significant influences on rice production in the tidal lowlands of South Sumatra, Indonesia.

Tidal swamplands are considered the national food security platform in Indonesia. Residues from the excessive chemical input used in the rice production affecting the environment, farmers’ health, and the safety of the product. Similarly, one can expect that excessive chemical use in tidal swamplands can also threaten rice production system sustainability. This study aimed to assess and identify factors influencing the sustainability of rice farming practices in tidal swamplands of South Sumatra, Indonesia. A survey was carried out to obtain information through direct interviews with 150 farmers in Muara Telang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. The Indonesia rice check was employed as indicators to assess the sustainability of rice farming practices in tidal swamplands. A percentage index was to categorize the sustainability status. A regression analysis with the Tobit model was applied to identify factors influencing the sustainability of rice farming practices. The result showed that the average sustainability index was 25.53%. It indicated rice farming practices in tidal swamplands tend to be unsustainable. The significant factors influencing the sustainability of rice farming practices were farmer’s education and household size. A policy recommendation is proposed to enhance the implementation of sustainable agriculture practices by the rice farmers in tidal swamplands.

LIVELIHOOD REVITALIZATION IN PEATLANDS: WOVEN CRAFTS FROM PURUN AS A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPTION IN OGAN KOMERING ILIR (OKI) REGENCY, SOUTH SUMATRA

Operations and maintenance (OM) of water infrastructure cannot be separated from the role of farmers' water users associations (WUA) or farmer groups. OM needs to be supported not only skillfully but also financially. This research aimed to assess and identify several factors affecting self-financing in water management in tidal lowlands agriculture, using the Willingness To Pay (WTP) approach. The sample size of this research was 245 respondents, all of which are active members of WUA or farmer groups. Primary data were collected using direct interviews with structured questionnaires, and secondary data were collected from some related agencies. The data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multiple Linear Regression analyses. Regression analysis formally tested the factors and identified the selected significant factors. KMO and Bartlett's Test result was 0.587 > 0.5 (alpha), indicating significance. The R² (0.86) showed that the independent variables simultaneously explained the dependent variable (Y_WTP). From seven independent variables, five variables significantly affect the willingness to pay for water management. This WTP is expected to ensure sustainable food production in tidal lowlands since water availability is crucial in tidal lowland agriculture

Land and forest fires in peatland areas in Indonesia have a widespread negative impact on surrounding communities. Possible vulnerabilities relate to economic, social, ecological, livelihoods, and environmental vulnerability. This study aimed to assess household vulnerability due to land and forest fires in peatland areas in Ogan Komering Ilir District in South Sumatra and observe changes in peat ecosystems in those areas. The study was conducted in three peatland hydrological units (PHUs)—(1) PHU Sungai Sugihan–Sungai Lumpur; (2) PHU Sungai Sibumbung–Sungai Batok; and (3) PHU Sungai Saleh–Sungai Sugihan—covering 300 households as samples. Primary data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed descriptively. The analysis revealed the following: (1) PHU Sungai Sibumbung–Sungai Batok had the highest score for livelihood vulnerability and climate change but the lowest score for social, economic, and ecological vulnerability; (2) PHU Sungai Saleh–Sungai Sugihan had the highest score for economic and ecological vulnerability but the lowest score for livelihood vulnerability; (3) PHU Sungai Sugihan–Sungai Lumpur had the highest score for social vulnerability but lowest score for climate change vulnerability; and (4) the number of household members, toddlers, and elderly, and all economic indicators except land ownership, contributed relatively similarly to social vulnerability in all PHUs.

Water in tidal lowlands may either lack or excessive. Neither lack nor excessive of water is demanded for crop cultivation. Therefore, water management plays an important role in the development of tidal lowland agriculture through maintaining proper water conditions. Since tidal lowland with certain conditions is considered marginal, its utilization for crop cultivation should maintain its fragile characteristics such that its utilization to support crop production can be sustained. Continuing use of tidal lowlands for crop production, therefore, requires agricultural ecosystem management through the establishment and measurement of sustainability in water management. Sustainable water management in tidal lowlands for crop production should not only consider the physical resources (infrastructures), but also human resource as well as financial resource. This paper proposes three agendas for research on water management as follows: (1) identification of specific local water infrastructure developments, (2) initiation of participatory operation and maintenance of water infrastructures, (3) utilization of self-supporting financial means in water management.