This article presents the findings of a study to help farmers develop optimal potato yields in the Sembalun Highlands—an isolated area of West Nusa Tenggara province without specialist potato support services. The author's assumption was that utilizing a less costly potato system would increase the ability of small farmers to take up potato production. The research was carried out in six farmers' fields involving six farmer-initiated learning groups, who compared the use of superphosphate with local compost. The results show that there was no significant difference in yields using 300 and 600 kg/ha of superphosphate, which produced 33.0 and 33.1 t/ha, respectively. Likewise, there was no significant difference in yield using compost treatments at 3,000kg/ha and 5,000 kg/ha, resulting in 33.0 and 32.7 t/ha, respectively. As a result, farmers can reduce costs and increase income by improving efficiency in input use. An added benefit of this research is the capacity building of local farmers and extension workers, who are now equipped to plan and coordinate simple potato experiments.

All photographic images on this site were taken by the Collins Higgins Consulting teams during the EI-ADO project activities. Reproduction should note their source as Collins Higgins Consulting.