Strengthening Organic Rice–Fish Farming Through Participatory Focus Group Discussions and International Collaboration in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Hotnida Sinaga; Meutia Nauly; Sri Fajar  Ayu; Destanul  Aulia; Salmiah Salmiah; Patricia Srisere Ikaria Situmorang

doi:10.47175/rissj.v7i3.1297

Hotnida Sinaga Universitas Sumatera Utara
Meutia Nauly Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Sumatera Utara
Sri Fajar Ayu Study Program of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Destanul Aulia Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Salmiah Salmiah Study Program of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Patricia Srisere Ikaria Situmorang Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, University of HKBP Nommensen. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3142-7086

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47175/rissj.v7i3.1297

Keywords: Rice-fish farming, sustainable agriculture, Focus Group Discussion, global collaboration, community empowerment

Abstract

This community service activity aims to strengthen farmers’ capacity to develop an environmentally friendly integrated farming system based on organic rice-fish farming through a Focus Group Discussion approach grounded in global collaboration. The activity was conducted in Tanah Merah Village, Serdang Bedagai District, and involved farmer groups, the local government, academics, and international partners from Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand. The method used was a participatory approach through the stages of problem identification, guided group discussions, technology dissemination, and the formulation of recommendations. The activity results showed an increase in community understanding of the integration of rice and fish farming, as well as the importance of downstream product processing and standardization. The Focus Group Discussion also successfully identified key issues, including limited marketing opportunities, weak farmer institutions, and dependence on chemical inputs. Additionally, international collaboration contributed to the transfer of food production technology and the enhancement of product value.

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