THRIVING FIELDS: A STUDY ON THE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES OF ORGANIC RICE FARMING IN SLEMAN REGENCY

Abstract

Organic farming is an environmentally friendly agricultural strategy that relies on natural inputs for the output. Organic farming's sustainability can be examined from a variety of perspectives, including institutional, ecological, economic, social, and technological. This research aims to determine the sustainable practices of organic rice farming in Sleman Regency and determine the sensitive attributes that have effects on sustainability. The method of this research is descriptive analysis with a quantitative approach. The total number of respondents is 49 organic rice farmers in Sleman Regency. All of the respondents were selected by simple random sampling. The methods of collecting data are observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data analysis uses the Multidimensional-Scaling Rapid for Appraisal (MDS-RAPS) technique which releases Rap-Score value and Root Mean Square (RMS) value on Leverage Analysis. Rap-Score value is used to determine sustainability index status. RMS value is used to determine sensitive attributes that affect sustainability. Each dimension of sustainability has a different index, those are ecological (81,57); economic (78,47); institution (78,36); social (77,11); and technology (62,58). The average sustainability index from all dimensions is 75,62 which means that the sustainable practice of organic rice farming in Sleman Regency is very sustainable. The result of the RMS value on Leverage Analysis shows that those 21 sensitive attributes from five dimensions have obtained that effect on sustainability. So, the strategies are still needed to increase the value of sustainability. The strategies that can be made to improve the sustainability index is improving the performance of sensitive attributes in each dimension.