Farmer field schools for improving economic sustainability performance of Indonesian vegetable production
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 28 December 2020
Issue publication date: 8 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
A research and development project disseminated ecological technologies to approximately 3,250 vegetable farmers through farmer field schools (FFS) in four districts of Bali and East Java provinces of Indonesia. This article aims to assess the economic sustainability of vegetable production after FFS participation.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey randomly sampled 500 farmers, comprised of FFS participants (50%) and non-FFS participants (50%). Based on 1,000 farm operations, this analysis employed input-saving technology as the fundamental model examined using the double-difference method. Simultaneous reduction of agrochemicals and improvement of productivity represent indicators of economic sustainability.
Findings
Results indicate that pesticide use decreased without jeopardising farm productivity; moreover, vegetable production increased. These findings indicate that the ecological technologies transferred through FFS significantly improved economic sustainability performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study purposively selected farmers who grew tomato and chilli. Thus, the outcomes are not generalisable to other crops.
Practical implications
FFS continues to be an effective method for transferring agricultural technologies to farmer communities. Policymakers are recommended to use FFS for disseminating beneficial and sustainable technologies to broader agricultural communities.
Social implications
The adoption of ecological technologies provides positive economic and ecological milieus.
Originality/value
This study employs a double-differences approach to verify input-saving technological progress. Therefore, the performance of economic sustainability attributable to the project intervention is theoretically justified.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study is part of the “Vegetables for Indonesia” research and development project activities. The project was financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Indonesia, and was coordinated by The World Vegetable Center, in partnership with the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology of East Java and Bali, the Agricultural Extension Service of East Java and Bali, the Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute, FIELD Foundation Indonesia and Udayana University. The authors acknowledge farmers and enumerators who provided and recorded information related to vegetable production in Bali and East Java. The authors also thank Dr Victor Afari-Sefa, who was responsible for the socio-economic activities of the project; Dr Martin Siyaranamual and Dr R.M Purnagunawan of Padjajaran University; Dr I. Made S. Utama and Dr Putu Sudiarta of Udayana University; and Mr Ketut Kariada and Dr Kuntoro B. Andri of AIAT Bali and East Java, respectively, for organising field surveys. All interpretations and shortcomings are the responsibility of the authors.
Citation
Mariyono, J., Dewi, H.A., Daroini, P.B., Latifah, E., Hakim, A.L. and Luther, G.C. (2022), "Farmer field schools for improving economic sustainability performance of Indonesian vegetable production", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 71 No. 4, pp. 1188-1211. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-09-2019-0445
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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