Astungkara Way Phase Two Update #2
Reimagining rice farming
A staple crop for half the world's population, rice farming is under pressure from an aging population of farmers, market imbalances, and its environmental impact. How we grow rice needs to change, and Tanguy and his team at Astungkara Way are leading the charge.
Making complex, simple
As the project's second phase nears its conclusion, the team is working on expanding their impact and influencing more farmers to adopt Complex Rice Systems (CRS).
Balancing ecology and economy
While the project has demonstrably enhanced climate resiliency and restored the rice fields, the Astungkara Way team believes there is work to be done to define the optimal complexity level for economic viability. The team has collected comprehensive data throughout the project, which they are using to conduct an in-depth analysis to ascertain the right combination of inputs to maximise environmental and economic gain.
This sample data shows how different CRS practices impact rice grain yields. Inputs included are rice (R), duck (D), compost (C), Azolla (A), and (natural/organic) fertilizer (F). The team hopes the final analysis will provide actionable insights not only for farmers but also as a reference for policymakers to scale CRS across Bali and beyond.
Empowering the next generation
The team's other tactic to accelerate adoption is to engage the younger generation. In partnership with Udayana University students, the team examined how pattern-variety combinations impact yields, comparing two sowing patterns (Tegel & Jarwo) and two rice varieties (Inpari & Sertani).
Sowing patterns
Tegel Pattern: Conventionally used uniform spacing method.
Jarwo Pattern: Gaps after a few rows of rice to provide sunlight penetration and pathways for ducks.
Rice varieties
Inpari Rice: Government-recommended varietal, extremely sensitive, and requires high nutrient input.
Sertani Rice: Older varietal, less sensitive to nutrient availability, and more resilient.
Note: Control groups of rice planted using conventional methods included for comparison.
The results from the experiment clearly show that the Jarwo-Sertani pairing (blue) has the most consistent and stable yield, which is in line with the CRS-recommended pattern-variety combination and reinforces the redundancy of chemical inputs for crop health.
The team hopes the findings from the research will empower younger generations with the knowledge to farm in ways that are both environmentally and economically viable and encourage them to participate in the future of rice farming.
