Farmers Perceptions of the Price of Certified Rice Seeds in Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Abstract

In the Strategic Plan Document (RENSTRA) of the Agriculture Service in Padang City for 2019–2024, it is determined that rice is a strategic commodity. One effort to increase rice production is a policy of increasing the use of certified rice seeds at the farmer level. Lowland rice production in Padang City shows a downward trend in the period 2018 to 2020. Total rice production in 2018 was 104,561 tons and rice production in 2020 was 80,092 tons, this condition shows a decline in rice production from 2018 to 2020 of 23.45%. The decline in rice production in Padang City is thought to be caused by farmers not responding well to the use of certified rice seeds. The price of certified rice seeds in Padang City is Rp. 11,000 – Rp. 15,000 per kg and the price of uncertified rice seeds in Padang City is Rp. 5,500 – Rp. 7,500 per Kg. The aim of this research is to describe farmers perceptions of the price of certified rice seeds in Padang City. Data collection was carried out using interviews and questionnaires. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The total research sample was 96 farmers taken from 6 sub-districts in Padang City. The selected subdistrict is an area designated by the Padang City Agricultural Service as a food area. Based on research results, farmers perceptions of the price of certified rice seeds in Padang City are 42.7% of farmers perceptions of the price of certified rice seeds at affordable prices, Farmers perception of the suitability of the price of certified rice seeds in accordance with the benefits obtained is 77.1%, Farmers perception of the suitability of the price of certified rice seeds according to the quality obtained is 90.6%, The perception of farmers regarding the price of certified rice seeds compared to the price of non-certified rice seeds is that all respondent farmers said that the price of certified seeds has a high price.