SWOT matrix (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat matrix)
The SWOT matrix is a chart designed to generate development strategies that combine four factors: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. These four factors are then divided into four strategies: SO strategy (strength-opportunity), WO strategy (weakness-opportunity), ST strategy (strength-challenge) and WT strategy (weakness-threat). The SWOT matrix can be seen in Table 1.
QSPM (quantitative strategic planning matrix) analysis
The results of the QSPM matrix analysis can be seen in Table 2, showing that the periodic strategy that should be prioritized is to build collaborative programs between farmers and local governments to increase access to resources and technology while improving product quality through agricultural practices that are resistant to climate change and input price fluctuations so that they can compete with products from outside with a Total Alternative Strategy (TAS) value of 3.75.
Integrative strategy recommendations for sustainable rice production improvement
Optimizing agricultural land, farmer institutions and skilled agricultural extension workers to implement adaptive agrarian technology innovations
The land area in East Halmahera Regency is the main potential for developing the paddy rice commodity. Paddy rice’s total productive land area is approximately 5,024 hectares
(BPS-North Maluku, 2022). The larger the land area, the greater the amount of production produced by the land
(Abdul Rahim, 2008). Land area affects not only the level of farming efficiency but also the transfer and application of technology in agricultural development
(Shinde, Kashid and Shende 2025) (Ara Anggar Andrias, 2017).
Strong farmer institutions are essential for farmers to access the technology, information and capital needed to increase productivity. Forming farmer groups, including rice paddies, significantly increases agricultural productivity. The role of farmer groups as a production unit is improved and the productivity of rice farmers will increase
(Handayani, 2019). One of the main benefits of forming farmer groups is better access to agricultural resources and inputs. Farmer groups can purchase agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides by joint purchasing. This reduces production costs and ensures each participant can access the necessary inputs to increase crop yields.
Skilled extension workers can help farmers understand and implement the latest practices and technologies, such as improved seeds, contemporary irrigation techniques and efficient fertilization methods. Training provided to extension workers to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills improves their performance
(Dewi Sahara, 2013). The training is divided into technical extension, management and agribusiness
(Liani, 2013). Well-educated extension workers strive to receive and carry out training well, which improves the quality of extension workers’ human resources. Education is essential to improving the quality of extension operations
(Peranginangin, 2016). Adaptive technology, such as high-yielding varieties and efficient irrigation techniques, is needed to increase land productivity. Using high-yielding varieties resistant to pests and extreme weather conditions is a solution to overcome the challenges of an uncertain climate
(Abdullah, 2018). Farmers can reduce losses due to pest attacks and extreme weather using more adaptive rice varieties.
Land optimization strategies, farmer institutions and extension workers in adaptive technology innovation face challenges such as limited infrastructure, farmer resistance and suboptimal policy support. Emerging risks include failure to adapt technology, unequal access and negative impacts on the ecosystem and the socio-economic balance of farmers. Therefore, a participatory approach based on local research and sustainable policy support is needed for this strategy to be successful.
Utilizing an effective irrigation system and local government support can increase production in line with market demand
East Halmahera Regency has a high-potential natural irrigation network, one of the advantages of supporting rice cultivation. Natural irrigation from existing watersheds allows for wider water distribution. Water production is the economic or physical yield of each cubic meter of water used to produce grain or crops
(Sukristiyonubowo, 2013). This network can support a more efficient irrigation system to increase rice productivity if managed well
(Abdullah, 2018). Rotational irrigation systems involve setting schedules that alternate between farmers within an irrigation network, ensuring equitable water distribution and reducing wastage. The sustainability of production depends on developing more efficient and structured irrigation
(Fadli, 2016). To increase the productivity and sustainability of wet-rice farming, collaboration between effective irrigation systems and proper guidance from extension officers will be essential.
Government support through conducive policies and capital loan facilities is essential to boost farmers’ productivity. Local governments help farmers gain more comprehensive market access through the establishment of cooperatives, support in processing and marketing paddy products and setting minimum prices to protect farmers from adverse price fluctuations. The government also provides an agricultural insurance program to provide additional protection for farmers. Farmers say that joining the farm insurance program is very helpful when they experience crop failure; it makes them feel safe while farming and reduces loss
(Nurilla Elysa Putri, 2019). Government support in marketing can help improve the sustainability of agricultural businesses, expand market access and provide stable price protection for farmers. An effective marketing system is indispensable in the agrarian goods market to increase producers’ and consumers’ added value and surplus
(Akhmad Sutoni, 2021). The ever-increasing demand encourages farmers to increase rice production by increasing farmland, using superior varieties and applying modern technology in the cultivation process.
Implementing an effective irrigation system and local government support faces challenges such as budget limitations, inadequate infrastructure and suboptimal coordination between farmers and the government. Possible risks include imbalances in water distribution, farmers’ dependence on unsustainable subsidies and conflicts in water resource management. If not managed properly, this strategy can lead to a mismatch between production and market absorption, leading to overproduction or price instability.
Utilize local government policy support to increase farmers’ access to technological innovations, overcome limited economic resources and improve product quality according to market demand
Agricultural technology innovation aims to increase labor and land productivity and reduce production costs
(Bahrul U. Rusydi, 2022). Agricultural technology innovation is essential for advancing wetland rice farming as it helps farmers improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Economic resources include financial and human resources (capital) (labor, knowledge and skills). About 69.82% of wetland rice farmers use their limited capital
(Ilma Satriana Dewi, 2015). Farmers struggle to obtain the necessary capital for investment in better technology and equipment due to a lack of access to financial resources such as banks and credit institutions in rural areas. Business capital derived from credit loans positively affects farmer happiness, with a regression coefficient of 0.29
(Nurmawati, 2016). Credit loans help farmers buy fertilizers, seeds and others related to agribusiness needs
(Heri Susanto, 2021). Labor has a positive effect on the income/income of farmers by looking at the need for labor on the land
(Carmelo Tampubolon, 2024). Education plays a vital role in strengthening the labor force in the agricultural sector through increased knowledge and skills. Low levels of education can prevent group members from needing more ability to manage sustainable businesses
(Mirza, 2017). A low education structure implies low literacy, limited insight and creativity, which in turn will reduce farmers’ productivity in producing agricultural products and food crops
(Aminah, 2015).
Lack of post-harvest processing technology, such as rice milling or mechanized drying, leads to decreased quality and added value of rice products. This reduces farmers’ profits and affects competitiveness in the market. Farmers find it easier to store their harvest safely with adequate storage facilities, such as warehouses. As a result, agricultural products are often damaged or forced to be sold at a low price immediately after harvest. The lack of modern farm technology in paddy rice cultivation practices also directly impacts production efficiency. To speed up the harvesting process, reduce grain loss during threshing and maintain old customs, farmers prefer to utilize hired labor
(Sulha Pangaribuan, 2017).
Local government policy support in increasing farmers’ access to technological innovation faces challenges such as budget constraints, low farmers’ technological literacy and bureaucracy that can slow down the implementation of the program. Emerging risks include inequality in access to technology between small and large farmers, unsustainable reliance on government assistance and the possibility of low adoption of innovations if they do not match local conditions. If this strategy is not managed properly, the expected agricultural yield can be suboptimal, leading to production inefficiencies and inconsistencies with market demand.
Utilize the availability of farmland, farmer institutions and effective irrigation systems to increase resilience to climate change and rising production input prices and strengthen the competitiveness of local products by assisting skilled extension workers in implementing sustainable agricultural practices
Local farmers must increase productivity by utilizing available farmland, adopting modern agricultural technology and improving the quality of the rice they produce to face the competition. Climate change is causing increased weather, changes in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and sea levels. One of the most impactful climate changes is the increased air temperature and humidity, leading to more pest and plant disease attacks, which can lead to crop failure due to unpredictable weather
(Getmi Nuraisah, 2019). Climate change can impact water availability and trigger pest and disease attacks
(Shanmugam et al., 2022) (Wiyono, 2010).
An increase in input prices directly increases the production costs of rice farming. This can reduce the profit margin earned by farmers, so they have a lower incentive to develop or scale up their farms. In the long run, high production costs can threaten the sustainability of rice farming. Farmers may reduce the use of inputs, such as fertilizers or pesticides, to reduce production costs. This may result in decreased land productivity and lower yields. With reduced productivity, rice yields are not optimal and farmers’ income may decline.
Effective use of agricultural land, farmer institutions and irrigation systems to increase resilience to climate change and rising input prices face resource constraints, delayed technology adoption and poor coordination between stakeholders. Risks that can arise include inequality of access to resources and technology, over-reliance on government intervention and the possibility of land degradation if sustainable agricultural practices are not implemented correctly. If this strategy is not supported by adequate training for extension workers and farmers, the expected results may not be optimal, hindering the competitiveness of local products in the market.
Establish collaborative programs between farmers and local governments to increase access to resources and technology while improving product quality through agricultural practices resilient to climate change and input price fluctuations to compete with products from outside
Collaborative programs between farmer institutions and local governments through farmer group associations are a priority to encourage the adoption of modern technology and farmers’ economic empowerment. Farmer group associations can facilitate training and counseling for farmers and be a key channel in the distribution of needed business capital. This support also enables farmers to manage their finances more effectively and strengthen marketing and distribution networks to ensure agricultural products can be sold in various markets. Create a digital-based platform that can be accessed by all parties involved in agriculture, including extension workers, farmers and other stakeholders. This platform could include a map of the region to enable the development of technology that suits the needs of the area and information that is disseminated thoroughly. It can also transmit information on each region’s production assistance, marketing channels and climate change or rainfall. Digitization aims to make marketing channels more efficient and collect data on market conditions
(Johan, 2022).
Establishing collaborative programs between farmers and local governments faces challenges such as differences in interests, budget limitations and low technology adoption due to a lack of understanding and training. Possible risks include inequality of access to resources, unsustainable reliance on government assistance and potential technological mismatch to local conditions that could hinder the effectiveness of agricultural practices. If this strategy is not managed properly, improving product quality and competitiveness against foreign products can be hampered, making it difficult for farmers to compete in the market.
