An analysis of rice farming sustainability in the Subak irrigation system, Bali
Keywords:
Sustainability, MSA, Subak, Tri Hita Karana, Rice FarmingAbstract
Subak, as Bali’s traditional irrigation management system based on the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, faces sustainability challenges amid rapid urbanization and climate change. This study aims to analyze the sustainability status, sensitive attributes, and improvement scenarios for the sustainability of rice seed farming in Subak Sembung. This research employs both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to key informants, while qualitative data were derived from surveys and in-depth interviews with key informants. The data sources consist of primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from the interpretation of questionnaire responses, whereas secondary data were collected from relevant literature and regulatory documents. The analytical method used in this study is Multiaspect Sustainability Analysis (MSA), and the results are presented using descriptive–narrative analysis. The findings indicate that the sustainability index value of rice farming in Subak Sembung is 66.43, which falls within the sustainable category. Sensitive attributes in the ecological aspect include the use of organic fertilizers. In the economic aspect, the sensitive attribute is the average size of farmers’ landholdings. In the socio-cultural aspect, the sensitive attribute is farmer regeneration participation (farmers under 40 years old). In the institutional aspect, the sensitive attribute is the presence of farmer cooperative institutions. In the technological aspect, the sensitive attribute is the condition of irrigation water channels. Improvement scenarios show that increasing the sustainability index of rice farming in Subak Sembung from 66.43 (sustainable) leads to an increase to the very sustainable category, while the second scenario results in an increase from 86.76 (very sustainable) to 95.58 (very sustainable). The study concludes that the sustainability status of rice farming in Subak Sembung is categorized as sustainable. It is recommended that sustainability be optimized by focusing on the main sensitive attributes, particularly within the ecological aspect, through the application of solid organic fertilizers on Subak Sembung rice fields.
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