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The rice yield gap (YG) is a global concern, requiring more detailed studies spatially and temporally. As a staple food in Indonesia, rice was produced from 7.4 Mha paddy fields in 2019. Better insight into the YG helps assess measures to boost rice production. However, the information on YG variation among regions scale is limited. This study aimed to identify the rice YG based on 295 historical trial datasets from 23 provinces in Indonesia. We surveyed published trial results from 2012 to 2022 and analyzed YGs, expressed as the percentage of farmer yield (FY). The potential yield (PY) was estimated from field trial results using introduced rice cultivation technology package, whereas FY from results using existing farmer practices. Our study showed that the average YG was 62% in rainfed, 54% in tidal, and 32% in irrigated paddy fields. The YG was significantly high in the paddy fields of Kalimantan (74%) and Maluku-Papua (49%), while the lowest was in Sulawesi (27%) and Java (31%). The YG varied significantly with geo-regions, rice varieties, and cultivation technology packages. Closing the YG and ensuring sustainable rice production requires the implementation of sustainable intensification through applying site-specific technology packages, reallocation of agricultural interventions to a higher YG region, and rice variety improvement to increase PY.

A subsidised fertiliser policy is a clear option to increase rice production and maintain farmer benefits. It has proven to be costly and hence needs to be effectively calculated. This research proposes the use of advanced multidisciplinary techniques to precisely estimate annual fertiliser demands for food production, based on the local field conditions and crop characteristics. Time-series satellite imageries (Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance of Operational Land Imager) were analysed to identify the annual cropping patterns, delineate agricultural field boundaries, and estimate land area. Monitoring and data collection on cropping patterns were conducted using normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. The corrected rice field maps and cropping patterns were validated through field inspections. Subsequently, soil sampling and analysis were performed to determine precise fertiliser doses for each crop during each planting season. Finally, a fertiliser demand allocation map was created to inspect the results visually. A case study conducted in Jombang Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia, highlighted a gap of approximately 5.91 Mg urea and 1.02 Mg NPK in fertiliser demand measured using this study method as compared to the current subsidised fertiliser allocation. This gap could lead to an ineffective use of the fertiliser subsidy budget, which could jeopardise achieving the national food production target. Therefore, this study urges government stakeholders to implement the proposed method to maintain national food security in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potency and challenges of sorghum development in tidal swamplands in Indonesia have yet to be well studied. Thus, our study is the first to evaluate the land suitability, economic performance, and strategies for developing sorghum in the tidal swamplands in Central Kalimantan. We use the land suitability evaluation method, a gross margin and profit analysis, a break-even analysis, and a competitive analysis as the methods for assessing the potency and utilization of sorghum in this study. As a tool for decision-making, SWOT was also used, followed by a quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) analysis. The results show that 578,511 ha of arable land is suitable for sorghum development. Economically, sorghum farming can generate IDR 12,894,000 per ha with a revenue-cost ratio of 1.72; the break-even price would be IDR 2447 per kg, around 42% lower than the current market price. Sorghum is also more competitive than cassava (Q = 0.76), sweet potato (Q = 0.58), and soybeans (Q = 0.61) and less competitive than maize (Q = 1.33). Based on the QSPM analysis, five alternative strategies were obtained for developing sorghum in tidal swamplands: (1) optimization of productivity; (2) improvement in the quality of human resources for farmers; (3) facilitation of partnership cooperation; (4) application of site-specific technology; and (5) optimization of waste utilization. These strategies show that the expansion of sorghum planting has potential in the tidal swamplands and economic value for the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesian swamp has a high potency to provide areas for agricultural expansion, which means to raise food security. To optimize its utilization, government has developed new rice fields in the tidal swamp. This research was carried out in a new rice field from the tidal swamp in Bulungan District. The research aimed to optimize the new rice fields by implementing superior rice varieties (NSV). The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with three replicates. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) analysis was performed to determine the feasibility of rice farming in the new field. The NSV consisted of six varieties of rice, namely Inpara-1, Inpara-2, Inpara-3, Inpara-4, Inpara-5, and a local variety. The planting pattern implemented was jajar legowo (jarwo) 2:1, and seedlings were planted three stems per clump at the age of 20-25 days. Each planting treatment was given the same dose of limestone and fertilizer, namely dolomite 1,000 kg ha-1, NPK fertilizer 250 kg ha-1, and Urea 100 kg ha-1. The results showed that all varieties were able to adapt tidal swamp condition, and Inpara varieties productivity was higher than that of local variety. The productivity of superior varieties rice in a newly opened rice reached 2.6–5.75 tons milled dry grain ha-1. The findings also revealed that superior rice varieties have BCR>1, while the local variety had BCR<1. The productivity of Inpara-1 and Inpara-2 was the highest compared to other varieties and was also feasible to be cultivated on newly opened rice fields in Bulungan District. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]