The Integrated Minapadi (Rice-Fish) Farming System: Compost and Local Liquid Organic Fertilizer Based on Multiple Evaluation Criteria

Abstract

Rice-fish cultivation, also known as Manipadi in Indonesia, is one of the many integrated farming systems where fish are grown concurrently with rice. However, this integrated system needs to be optimized by organic fertilizer. The application of organic fertilizers, such as compost and local biofertilizers, when implemented into this integrated system, can optimize the yield per land for both rice and fish. However, this combination must be evaluated systematically by multiple evaluation criteria and statistical analyses. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the combination of compost doses and/or local liquid organic fertilizer concentrations, based on multiple evaluation criteria, that supports the productivity of rice-fish integration agriculture. The experiment was carried out in the Wanuae farmer group of the Barebbo District, Bone Regency, Indonesia, between September 2018 and January 2019. The experiment employed a split plot design with a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The main plot consisted of compost (four levels), and the subplot was the local biofertilizer source (four levels). The results demonstrated that the number of fill grains was significantly affected by the compost treatment and the type of local biofiller. The effect of the compost dosing was more dominant in comparison with the local liquid organic fertilizer character and its interactions. A compost dosage of four tons ha−1 and a local liquid organic fertilizer, sourced from soaked coconut fiber with cow urine, has been recommended as the combination treatment to optimize the rice and fish yield potential. The Minapadi (rice fish) with additional high composting effectively increased the farmer’s outcome with a 2-point R/C ratio, more so than those without composting. Moreover, the compost dosage in this Minapadi study requires further exploration for a better understanding.