Comparison of External and Internal Inputs Usage Based on Enterprises Scale on Rice-cattle Integration Systems Farming

Mukhlis , Melinda Noer, Nofialdi and Mahdi

Background and Objectives: The agricultural system that combines rice and cattle is characterized by a close relationship between input and output in terms of waste utilization. It also involves the use of low external input approach to creating environmentally friendly agriculture with the ability to increase production, productivity and farmers' income. However, the external and internal inputs used on RCIS farming based on the concept of Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture have never been compared. Therefore, this study focused on comparing the use of external and internal inputs in RCIS farming. Materials and Methods: This study use descriptive method. Collection of primary data by interviews, documentation and observations. The data were tabulated, analyzed and explained both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: Production of cattle feces was found to be 8-15 kg/head/day. Small-scale farmers were observed to use manure, medium and large-scale use manure and compost fertilizer. Rice straw production was 8-13 t ha^–1/planting season and small-scale farmers used fresh straw, medium-scale and large-scale used fermented straw. Furthermore, lack of hay for cattle feed was 61.78% for small-scale, medium-scale 75.23% and large-scale 54.53%. Conclusion: The greater of scale enterprises, the lower the use of internal inputs and the greater the use of external inputs and also lowers the integration characteristics because it is not environment friendly. The use of external inputs on small-scale RCIS farming was very small so that very integrative because it uses more self-owned and environmentally friendly local internal inputs.

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