Perception of Field Rice Cultivation Management without Chemical Inputs: A Sustainable Agricultural Practice of Farmers on Morotai Island

Abstract

The current era presents significant challenges in identifying agricultural systems that operate without synthetic chemical inputs. In the context of globalization, economic growth and food security have become paramount concerns. Morotai Island, with its substantial natural dry land resources, has emerged as a focal point for investigating farmers' perspectives on the natural upland rice-farming system. This research integrates data on farmers' perceptions and their commitment to preservation, offering a comprehensive view of their acceptance of and engagement in natural farming practices. The article discusses the outcomes of a descriptive analysis examining Morotai Island farmers' views regarding the natural upland rice-farming system. The study employed 15 parameters reflecting four indicators of farmers' perception variables. Results reveal that farmers generally hold a highly favorable view of the principles underlying the natural upland rice-farming system, with a weighted average of 84.96%. Indicator-specific analysis underscores farmers' efficacy in maintaining natural farming practices, including no-till methods, avoidance of chemical inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, favoring local seed varieties, and the exclusion of hybrid seeds and intensive irrigation systems. The natural upland rice-farming system on Morotai Island incorporates traditional methods passed down through generations. This investigation seeks to examine farmers' perceptions of indigenous knowledge in the application of the natural upland rice-farming system.

Keywords: farmers’ perception; natural farming system; willingness to preserve

DOI：10.62321/issn.1000-1298.2024.10.08