Transforming agriculture in Indonesia: Opportunities for increasing economic and ecological benefits from the system of rice intensification

The conventional rice cultivation method is observed to be ineffective in increasing rice production in Indonesia, compounded further by the frequent occurrence of various diseases, pest infestations and weather uncertainties. Thus, farming transformation is much needed in order to address the nation's food security. This transformation can be done via the adoption of the agroecological practices which rely on biological processes rather than on agrochemicals to maintain soil fertility and protect plant health. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an agroecological method of rice cultivation that relies primarily on creating conditions for healthy plant growth by minimizing inter-plant competition through individual planting and wide spacing, at the same time improving soil structure and functioning by applying organic amendments, facilitating soil-surface aeration during weeding, and managing water to avoid both continuous flooding and water-stressed conditions. This combination of management practices results in better rice growth and yield compared with standard cultivation methods. For this purpose, the impacts of the SRI method on the economic, environmental and social perspectives were studied. We conclude that the high productivity obtained by the SRI farmers and field trials has proven the suitability of the SRI method for sustainable rice farming in Indonesia. SRI improves the productivity of land, water, and increase rice yield up to three times higher than conventional method.