Adoption of Organic Fertilizer Use in the Cultivation of IF 20 Rice Varieties by the Gemah Ripah Farmers’ Group as Part of the Agricultural Revolution Initiative

Dety Sukmawati (Universitas Winaya Mukti)
Ida Marina (Majalengka University)
Dede Mahmiludin (Winaya Mukti University)
Ai Komariah (Winaya Mukti University)

Unram Journal of Community Service (UJCS)
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): September

Sumedang Regency is one of the main food buffer zones in West Java, yet rice productivity is threatened by soil degradation caused by excessive use of inorganic fertilizers. This initiative aims to encourage the adoption of organic fertilizers, including rice husk biochar and fermented animal manure, and to raise farmers’ awareness of sustainable soil fertility. Implemented in May 2026 in Banyuasih Village, Tanjungkerta District, the initiative included soil test-based outreach, technical mentoring, and demonstration plots covering 2 hectares. Results show that adoption rates rose from 33.3% to 88.9% of farmers; soil organic matter content increased from 1.85% to 2.12%; rice growth and yield components (IF 20) improved by up to 31.3%; and estimated yield increased by 24.1% compared to conventional practices. It is concluded that combining scientific evidence, accessible inputs, and intensive mentoring effectively accelerates the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies.