Final report for phase III (1992/93-1994/95) / Crop Animal Systems Research, Batumarta Dua, Tulang Bawang Tengah, Air Manganyau : Indonesia

Since 1984, Indonesia has achieved and sustained rice self- sufficiency. In fact, this has beenmade possible only through the cooperation and participation of all parties, especially those whoare directly involved in food policy, research, production, and extension. (AFFANDI, 1985).However, there are still many challenges such as high population growth (2% per year) whichleads to increasing food demand every year, pests, diseases, and environmental stresses (likeflood and drought) that threaten crop production. Many fertile rice fields, especially in Java, areconverted to other land use purposes in conjunction with development activities. The role ofmarginal lands, such as upland area, becomes more and more important in supporting riceproduction and other farm commodities. (ROSEGRANT et al, 1987).In Indonesia, about 25 million hectares of dryland have the potential to be converted toagricultural production areas through extensive programs. Various research activities to developthis type of ecosystem have shown promising results.In Phase I and Phase II of the project, a particular cropping systems in the upland areas ofBatumarta in South Sumatera showed that, through appropriate management of crops, soil, andenvironment, the yield of food crops such as rice, corn, grain legumes, and cassava was muchhigher than those under traditional farming. While the introduction of new potential croppingsystems increased income of farmers, the additional income generated was not sufficient to makea better living. The availability of man power limits optimal utilization of farmer resources ( CLSR,1986). For further development, other power sources need to be introduced and adopted.'The main objective of Crop-Animal Systems Research ( CASR) in Phase I of the project(1985/86- 1987/88) was to obtain the most appropriate farming system model in transmigrationareas in conjunction with farmer's available resources. Four farming systems (FS) models weretested and FS Model C which introduced gradual improvement involving technologies in foodcrop, rubber, and animal ( I cattle, 3 goats, and II chickens ) was the most promising and thiswas further tested Phase II. (CLSR 1988).In Phase II (1988/89- 1900/91 ), the focus of research was to evaluate sosio-economical factorsof applying FS Model C in wider pre-production areas. It was apparent that farming systems ModelC was readily adopted by farmers. The development activities include intensive farmer groupparticipation, a guided revolving fund systems, and a well-coordinated farming systems researchprogram carried out by researchers and supported by extension, key farmers, local governmentofficials, Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD), and other related institutions. (CLSR, 1991).In the Phase III (I 992/93 - 1994/95), FS Model C was further extented to different sites in threeprovinces, namely Batumarta Dua (South Sumatera Province), Tulang Bawang Tengah (LampungProvince), and Air Manganyau (Bengkulu Province) (Figille I) involving six different farmergroups. The main objective was to study the adoption of the FS Model C in different socio-economicalconditions of the farmers.