The “dish system” for calculating wages in rice farming in Majalengka District, West Java Province

¹ Indonesian Center for Agriculture Socio-Economic and Policy Studies, Ministry of Agriculture Bogor, Indonesia
² Research Center for Horticultural and Estate Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency, Medan, Indonesia
³ Research Center for Economics of Industry, Services, and Trade, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
⁴ International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA

^* Corresponding author: amaliaulpah@gmail.com

Abstract

Farmers play an important role in the agricultural sector; however, their welfare does not always increase with growth in this sector. Rice farming is generally affected by local customs and traditions, and labour costs are the largest expense. Local knowledge offers a distinctive feature in rice farming, such as the “dish system” in Majalengka District, where labourers are paid in bawon, a tradition in rice farming. However, this tradition may not always be economically beneficial to farmers. This study aims to identify the dish system of local wisdom in rice farming, analyse its economic efficiency, and compare the profit level with farming in general. Primary data were collected by conducting interviews with 65 farmers. The study revealed that the use of a dish system for wages results in greater profits and a higher R/C ratio value compared to daily wages in general. When using the bawon method, it is important to maintain socially adhered values because increasing farmers’ income and welfare is also a priority for the sustainability of rice farming. This study suggests taking comprehensive steps, such as strengthening existing farmer institutions, providing training and empowerment for farmers, and maximising profits through agricultural businesses.