Dina Omayani Dewi

Tidal lowlands are increasingly promoted for rice production in Indonesia in response to rising food demand and limited availability of suitable agricultural land. However, rice farming in these environments is characterized by unstable water regimes, high production risk, and weak market integration, which often limit farmers' transition from subsistence to commercial production despite increased use of modern inputs. This study examines the level and determinants of rice farming commercialization in the tidal lowlands of Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with explicit attention to agroecological risk. Primary data were collected through structured interviews with 143 rice farmers operating under different tidal overflow conditions. Commercialization is analyzed using multiple indicators capturing output sales, input market engagement, and cash income, and their determinants are examined using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The results indicate that rice farming in the study area is evolving toward semi-commercial systems, marked by strong integration into input markets but limited output commercialization and cash income. Tidal overflow conditions significantly shape commercialization outcomes, highlighting the role of agroecological risk in constraining surplus generation. Larger farm size, higher education levels, and the adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs) are associated with stronger market participation, while higher household consumption needs and access to credit are negatively related to output sales and farm cash income, suggesting that credit is frequently used for consumption smoothing rather than productive investment. Overall, the findings reveal a segmented commercialization pathway in tidal rice systems and underscore the need for risk-reducing water management, improved farmer capacity, and better-targeted rural credit to support sustainable commercialization in tidal lowland agriculture.

The development of the Farmer’s Exchange Rate (FER) index at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The effort to scrutinize the phenomenon of the decreasing FER is important and relevant for a deep study, especially related to its effects on farming activities. This study will observe FER changes and their effects on farming, especially rice farming. Methods of analysis include: (1) Descriptive Analysis (in the form of tables and graphs/diagrams only), (2) Quantitative Analysis (using multiple regression models). The results of the analysis of various factors affecting the FER show that the variable of the price of paddy at the farmer level has a positive and real effect on the FER. In this case, if the price of paddy increases by Rp 10, then the FER will increase by 0.157 units. Furthermore, the price of diesel fuel for agricultural equipment and machinery also has a positive and real effect on the FER. In this case, if there is an increase in the price of Rp 10, then there will be an increase in the FER of 0.052 FER units. It can be concluded that the influence of FER shows that the variable of unhusked-paddy price at the farm level has a positive and significant effect on FER. It can be made by farmers by achieving maximum possible economic efficiency through improvements in technical efficiency and optimization of resource reallocation (allocative efficiency), supported by output price incentive policies in order to obtain an adequate level of income.