Boosting productivity of rice and maize in rice-maize cropping systems requires efficient fertilizer management to improve the nutrition status of the soil. However, fertilizer rates for rice-maize cropping systems are conventionally calculated separately for each commodity regardless of the fertilizer residue of the preceding crop. This paper explores the impact of balancing and phasing nutrients for both crops on crop yields. It is based on an experiment conducted at the ICERI experimental farm in Maros during 2007.

Cropping intensity of rice in lowlands in Indonesia is decreasing, presenting an opportunity to increase cropping intensity by planting maize. In this paper, Fadhly et al. suggest that in order to increase maize production, which does not meet the current demand for feed in Indonesia, maize cropping systems could be shifted to lowlands by promoting increased cropping intensity using rice-rice-maize, rice-maize-maize or rice-maize-fallow cropping patterns.

This paper examines the impacts of contract farming on its smallholder participants in East Java, Bali and West Nusa Tengarra (NTB). Three contracts were selected for detailed analysis: seed corn in East Java; seed rice in Bali; and broiler chickens in NTB. The analysis was informed through key informant interviews and household surveys. The report includes a review of contract farming and detailed description and analysis of the three selected contracts.

This study evaluates the benefits to smallholders and agribusinesses from participating in contract farming in Bali and West Nusa Tenggarra (NTB). Methodology involved surveying both contracted (n=150 in Bali and n=80 in NTB) and non-contracted farmers (n=150 in Bali and n=120 in NTB). Probit analysis was used to identify factors influencing smallholder contract participation.