Increasing Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Productivity and Farmer’s Income through the Implementation of Modified Double Rows Planting System

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity in Indonesia is leveling off. The study aims to determine the effect of the Jejer Manten double rows modified planting system on the growth, productivity, and economic feasibility of the rice farming system. The study was conducted in Lampung Province, Indonesia from 2016 to 2018. The study was arranged using a split-plot design with 3 replications. The treatment consisted of two factors namely: planting system (S1 = Jajar Tegel, S2 = Jajar Legowo double rows 2:1, and S3 = Jejer Manten double rows modification) and rice varieties (V1 = Ciherang; V2 = Inpari 10).The results of the study showed that the Jejer Manten planting system produced higher growth and productivity than Jajar Tegel and Jajar Legowo planting system. During the three years of research, the application of the Jejer Manten planting system increased productivity by 6.04-32.27% compared to Jajar Tegel and 13.78-28.92% compared to the Jajar Legowo planting system. Economically, based on the analysis of marginal benefit-cost ratio (MBCR), the application of the Jejer Manten planting system was more feasible than the Jajar Tegel planting system (MBCR = 6.32) and Jajar Legowo planting system (MBCR = 8.18). Based on these results, it is recommended to apply the Jejer Manten planting system as a new technology to increase rice production and support of food self-sufficiency program of Indonesia.