STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL INDEX IN SUPPORTING FOOD SECURITY BASED ON LOCAL AUTHORITY IN THE IRRIGATION AREA OF KEDEWATAN, PROVINCE OF BALI

Rice as a staple food in Indonesia is a top priority in increasing food production. One way that can be done to increase food production is by expanding the harvest area through an increase in cropping index (IP). IP improvement in principle is an effort to optimize water and land resources with the right technology.

In the first year, this study aims to (1) identify the characteristics of subak sadap tiris and subak not sadap tiris; (2) identifying the technological component of rice production; and (3) identify and analyze IP and cropping patterns. Qualitative descriptive analysis is used to identify and analyze subak characteristics; performance of rice production technology components; and cropping patterns in subak sadap tiris and subak not sadap tiris. Planting index is obtained by calculating the ratio between the total planting area and the standard area in a year. The research sites were deliberately chosen in the Kedewatan Irrigation Area, Bali Province, namely Subak Mambal (not sadap tiris) and Subak Temaga (sadap tiris).

This research uses survey and RRAS methods. The data used are secondary data and primary data. The study population consisted of all members in both subak samples. Respondents were taken by 30 people simple random in each subak sample. To enrich the discussion also used data from in-depth interviews with key informants, namely Pekaseh, PPL, academics.

The results showed that (1) The components of existing rice production technology were relatively similar in the subak sadap tiris and subak not sadap tiris; (2) The existing cropping index in Subak Mambal is 200-300% and Subak Temaga is 250%. Potential crop index in both subaks is 300%; (3) Planting patterns in Subak Mambal and Subak Temaga are paddy, except for a small proportion of farmers in Subak Mambal who have a relatively large number of family laborers, applying the pattern of planting paddy-paddy-palawija or diversification of rice with secondary crops (vegetables, flowers, and corn).

Keywords: strategy, crop index, food security, local wisdom