Cropping systems research in Indonesia. In: With our own hands. Research for Third World development: Canada's contribution through the International Development Research Centre 1970-1985
Siwi, B.H.; Ismail, I.G.; Basa, I.; Syarifuddin, A.; Arifin, M.S.; Djauhari, A.; Syam, M.; Mundy, P.; McIntosh, J.L.
Publication, International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC-246e): 157-172
1986
Document Number: 381975
Between 1974 and 1980, IDRC provided $516 000 to the Indonesian Central Research Institute for Food Crops (CRIFC) through the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The aim was to augment efforts already started in Indonesia to develop cropping systems for rainfed and partially irrigated rice areas. By carrying out the research on a cooperative basis with farmers on their fields, it would be possible to establish which systems were the most practical, productive, acceptable, and profitable. IDRC's contribution was largely devoted to staff costs, research expenses, travel, and training. This chapter describes the research and the effects felt in those areas where the improved systems were tested. It is shown that cropping systems research has made major contributions to agricultural development in Indonesia's partially irrigated and rainfed dryland areas by finding ways of using underutilized lands and of cropping existing agricultural land more intensively and productively. In the partially irrigated areas in both Indramayu and Lampung, double cropping of rice is feasible by introducing the gogorancah (direct seeding) system, reducing replanting time, planting early maturing rice varieties, and improving crop management. In the rainfed dryland areas, if they are managed properly, soils previously thought unsuitable for permanent cultivation of annual food crops can be cropped continuously without loss of fertility. In these areas, intensive cropping systems involving five or more crops per year enable farmers to be self sufficient in food crops and can guarantee them a reasonable livelihood. In the long run, a more stable and sustainable agriculture will depend on a mixed farming system involving animals and perennial crops as well as food crops, using the principles and concepts developed during the cropping systems work.