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Community development methods toward food security: The system of rice intensification in Zumalai Subdistrict, Covalima, Timor-Leste
Thesis Abstract:
The study was conducted in Zumalai Subdistrict, Covalima, Timor-Leste to analyze the contribution of the system of rice intensification (SRI) project through its community development methods, namely: community education, community organizing, and community resource management, to achieve rice security. Using the Slovin’s formula, data were gathered from 41 farmer-groups in two villages (24 from Raimea Village and 17 from Tashilin Village). From each farmer-group, five members were randomly selected to comprise 205 respondents who participated in the household survey. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric Pearson Chi-square test were used in the data analysis. Additional qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interviews (KII), and secondary sources.
The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were adult males, married, elementary graduate, and have 0.01–1.0 ha of land planting rice. Majority of the respondents from the two villages attended various components of the SRI training but still need training on other SRI components. The purpose and reasons of joining the SRI group were to have access to government facilities and incentives, share experiences, and share resources and labor among members. The SRI practices were able to secure the communities’ environment and maximize utilization of local resources. The program could increase rice production up to 2.99 percent compared with the traditional practices with an average yield of 0.83 ton/ha. The SRI can be sustained with the existing resources in the study sites.
As a result of increased rice production, 71 percent of the farmers did not experience rice shortage after involvement in the SRI program. Rice production has been sufficient to feed their family all year round. The current average price of rice in the Zumalai Subdistrict is USD 0.25/kg, which is considered just enough to be accessible to the community during rice shortage. Rice is the primary staple food of 88 percent of the respondents while corn is the preferred alternate staple food in the absence of rice.
The results of correlation analysis using the Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test showed that rice security, measured in terms of indicators of rice availability, rice access, and rice utilization, was significantly correlated with some of the indicators of the community development methods. Some mechanisms to sustain SRI as a community development strategy were recommended.