Farmer training to simultaneously increase productivity of soybean and rice in Indonesia

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of enhanced knowledge and technology innovations, which were resulted from training, on the simultaneous production of rice and soybean in Java, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach - A model of product possibility frontier with two outputs produced using the same resources was employed. Based on the model, supply responses of soybean and rice were derived. Aggregate data consisting of 12 regions during the ten years of 2000–2009 were compiled from relevant agricultural institutions at the provincial level. Findings - Improvement in farmers’ capacity has been able to increase production of soybean and rice simultaneously. Farmers’ capacity increased after completion of the school. Knowledge and skill gained from the school have been applied to both rice and soybean farming. Other economic factors also affected the supply response of both commodities. Research limitations/implications - Available data covered periods 2000–2009. However, the outcomes are still relevant to the current situation because food crops are the basic necessity. This study used secondary aggregate data, which might be less accurate than primary data. However, secondary data have the advantage concerning coverage and time span. Practical implications - The Government, in collaboration with non-government organisations and the private sectors, should continue to enhance farmers’ capacity to increase the production of food crops to feed people in Indonesia, and over the world in general. Originality/value - An analysis of joint production using a concept of product transformation curve can measure the impact of training on multi products.