Ethnic Diversity Among Farmers Strengthens Food Security in Bangka Belitung

Pangkalpinang – A recent study by researchers from Universitas Bangka Belitung found that ethnic diversity among rice farmers in Rias Village, Toboali District, South Bangka Regency, plays an important role in sustainable agricultural management and regional food security. The study mapped farming communities from the Bangka, Javanese, Sundanese, and Bugis ethnic groups living side by side in one of Bangka Belitung’s major rice-producing areas.

Published in the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, the research noted that Rias Village is among the main rice production centers in South Bangka. In 2020, the village recorded rice productivity of 6.5 tons of harvested dry grain per hectare, exceeding the national average of 5.25 tons per hectare.

The researchers found that each ethnic group applies different approaches in managing rice farming. These differences include rice seed selection, the use of organic fertilizers, traditional irrigation systems, crop rotation methods, cooperation patterns, and land ownership systems. Javanese farmers recorded the highest productivity at 5.20 tons per hectare, while Bugis farmers produced an average of 4.50 tons per hectare.

The study also highlighted local cultural traditions still maintained by farming communities, particularly the sedekah bumi or earth thanksgiving ritual practiced by Bugis and Javanese farmer groups after harvest seasons. Researchers noted that the tradition strengthens social solidarity and supports harmony within the multicultural community of Rias Village.

Despite these achievements, the researchers warned that rice productivity in the area still faces environmental challenges. Most of the farmland in Rias Village has acidic soil with a pH below five, which affects crop yields across all ethnic groups.

The study recommends that the government develop agricultural assistance programs that consider the social and cultural characteristics of local communities. Such an approach is considered important for improving farmer welfare while maintaining sustainable food production in Bangka Belitung.

Source: Sitorus, R., Zulkarnain, I., & Wahyuni, W. (2024). The ethnic diversity of farmer groups in environmental management of lowland rice farming in Rias Village, Toboali District, South Bangka Regency. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1419(1), 012064. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1419/1/012064