Factors affecting farmers in adopting organic rice farming system in Situgede Village, City of Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

Organic farming system has been introduced in Indonesia since 1970s to produce vegetable and rice under an environmentally friendly situation. Though demands for both organic rice and vegetables are still limited, these exist , then farmers should produce them. In Indonesia organic rice and vegetable production are mostly in West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali. In the City of Bogor, West Java, organic rice farming system has been introduced under the City Agribusiness program. This is in accordance with Go Organic 2010 program declared by the Ministry of Agriculture. Rice farmers in the Situgede Village, City of Bogor, have tried to practice organic rice farming system since 2002. However,the number of the farmers have been fluctuating because of the following reasons: (1) they believe that organic farming system resulted in a lower productivity than that of conventional,(2)demand for organic rice is limited and relatively difficult to be accessed, since its marketing system is 'different' than that of conventional one, (3) there was no price difference between the two rice, and (4) they faced the problem of unavailability of manure to make organic fertilizer (bokashi). Objectives of this research are: (1) to compare the difference and productive and income between organic and conventional rice farming systems,(2) to assess the factors that affect the farmers in adopting organic farming and (3)to formulate programs to spread out organic rice farming system in Situgede Village, City of Bogor, West Java.A survey to 30 rice farmers in the village, which consisted of 9 organic rice farmers and 21 conventional rice farmers, indicated that organic rice can be planted up to three times a year, while conventional rice only twice a year.The reason for this is because most of organic farmers are located close to irrigation channels.In term of productivity, organic rice result in lower yields than that of conventional one, since most of the adopters are still in the early age of adoption. However, in term of total production, organic rice result in higher production than of conventional one,10.99 ton compared to 10.35 ton per year. In addition, farmers' income from organic rice is 31% higher that of conventional one. Analysis of adoption using Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP)indicated that the main objectives of the farmers in adopting organic farming system are to increase income levels, produce healthy foods, reduce environmental pollution, and increase rice productivity. The main factors determining farmers in adopting organic farming system are personal characteristics, external conditions, information of farming technology, and farming conditions.Some programs are suggested to increase organic rice production, improve adoption conditions, and increase farmers' income in the Situgede Village: (1)the farmers' group should develop marketing contracts with some potential traders and/or institutions(e.g. supermarkets) specialized with organic products,(2)increase farmers' group activities in production and distribution of bokashi, (3)increase sales of bokashi to outsiders, and (4) intensify extension programs to all farmers in the village areas