Increasing rice productivity and profitability through irrigation water management and bio-fertilizer in West Nusa Tenggara

Limited water resources in dry land area become a crucial factor in crop production. The research aims were to determine the effect of irrigation network arrangement and application of biofertilizer on rice productivity, and the feasibility of developing irrigation infrastructure to increase farmers’ income. The study was conducted in Mbawa Village, Donggo District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. In addition to repairing irrigation network, five different cultivation practices were applied, i.e. (1) farmer’s practice with integrated crop management, (2) farmer’s practices added with biofertilizers, (3) Recommended dosage fertilization, (4) Recommended dosage fertilization added with biofertilizer, and (5) farmer’s practices as control. Farming analysis was carried out by calculating farm cash flow, while the feasibility of developing irrigation infrastructure was carried out by calculating IRR, NPV and Net BCR. The results showed that application of biofertilizer increased the production of straw and rice yields. Farming and financial analysis of irrigation infrastructure showed that irrigation infrastructure investment was feasible to develop with a relatively fast return on capital and can increase farmers’ income. Through improved irrigation infrastructure, the use of biological fertilizers, and proper irrigation water management can increase rice productivity and farmers’ income