Status of agricultural technology innovation in swampy land

Abstract

This research was carried out to know the status of agricultural technology innovation used by farmers in lowland swamps and formulate policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders in land management for sustainable farming. The study was conducted using a survey method with a structured questionnaire and focus group discussion in 5 villages in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, with a total of 48 respondents. The results showed that the main commodity cultivated by farmers in lowlands was rice, where the agricultural technology innovation used was still limited to the use of superior varieties, while the use of other technologies was still low which resulted in low farm productivity. The causes of limited use of agricultural technology innovations include poorly organized land conditions and high-water levels in the land that make it difficult for equipment operations, narrow land area per farmer, limited infrastructure for mobility of agricultural machinery, limited capital, and low educational level of the main actors. Some of the proposed recommendations are improving cultivation technology, especially fertilization according to nutrient status and yield targets, land and water management, using mechanical devices as needed, and increasing the role of related institutions.