Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS <p align="justify"><strong>The Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies (JRUCS)</strong> serves as a platform for scholars, academics, and students to disseminate their research findings and perspectives across various disciplines. Released biannually in <strong>February</strong> and <strong>August</strong>, <strong>JRUCS</strong> covers a wide range of topics including the socioeconomic impacts of agribusiness on rural and urban communities, sustainable agriculture practices, entrepreneurship in agribusiness, technological advancements in agriculture, policy interventions, social innovations, market linkages, community development, rural and urban sociology dynamics, and strategies for sustainable agriculture extension. Through its diverse coverage, <strong>JRUCS</strong> aims to address the challenges and opportunities arising from rural-urban interactions while promoting sustainable community development in the agricultural sector.</p> Agribusiness Department, Agriculture Faculty, Tunas Pembangunan University, Surakarta, Indonesia en-US Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 3025-5090 What are the Major Barriers and Challenges Faced by Independent Oil Palm Smallholder Farmers in RSPO Certification? https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/3917 <p>The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification is essential for promoting sustainable palm oil production; however, smallholder farmers face significant obstacles in meeting its standards, hindering their growth. This study aims to identify the main barriers and challenges for independent oil palm smallholders in the RSPO certification process and to propose strategies for overcoming these issues. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers collected data from 60 smallholders through a snowball sampling method and analyzed it using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency counts and cross-tabulations. Critical barriers identified include high certification costs, lack of knowledge, limited resources, difficulties tracking production yields, and challenges meeting social requirements. Furthermore, smallholders struggle with adapting cultivation practices, accessing markets, maintaining commitment, building capacity, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Organizations are urged to adopt market development strategies, enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and facilitate better access to sustainable technologies to tackle these challenges. Additionally, enhancing green skills, simplifying record-keeping, reinforcing farmer groups, and offering financial incentives, including soft loans and tailored training, are critical. Streamlining certification procedures will also alleviate administrative burdens, enabling smallholders to adopt sustainable practices more effectively.</p> Norbertus Citra Irawan Mahananto Teguh Supriyadi Haryuni Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-12 2024-08-12 2 2 39 53 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.3917 Study of Nitrogen and Phosporus Doses on The Growth and Yield of Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L.) Mekongga Variety Used https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/3931 <p>The rice plant (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) is the main food commodity in Indonesia, but its production has not shown a significant increase. To increase rice productivity, especially in rainfed areas, it is necessary to optimize the use of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Facing the challenges of low fertility and limited water availability, endophytic bacterial consortia can help increase nutrient availability and plant growth. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus doses and their interactions on the growth and yield of the Mekongga rice variety in rainfed land where a consortium of endophytic bacteria was applied. The treatments carried out were designed as a factorial experiment in a Randomized Completely Block Design, namely the Nitrogen factor consisting of four dose levels: 0, 92, 184, 276 kg/ha and the Phosphorus factor consisting of four dose levels: 0, 72, 144, 216 kg/ha with three repetitions. The results showed that differences in nitrogen doses had a significant effect on the number of grains per panicle of rice plants, but did not have a significant effect on other growth and yield parameters of rice plants. Varying phosphorus doses and combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus doses did not have a significant effect on all growth and yield parameters of the Mekongga rice variety.</p> Muhammad Nur Falahi R Soelistijono Wiyono Sapto Priyadi Achmad Fatchul Aziez Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-12 2024-08-12 2 2 54 62 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.3931 Analysis Of Allocative Efficiency And Factors Affecting The Production Of Inorganic And Semi-Organic Rice Farming https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/4012 <p>The purpose of this research is to determine the allocative efficiency of the use of production inputs and factors that affect inorganic and semi-organic rice farming in Papar District, Kediri Regency. The methods used in this study are multiple linear regression analysis and allocative efficiency (price) analysis. The results of this study show that the factors that affect the production of inorganic rice fields are land area, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, among the three factors that affect inorganic rice farming, the use of land area production inputs is not efficient so there needs to increase the land area. While the use of inputs in the production of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is known to be inefficient so there needs to be a reduction in the production input. Meanwhile, the results for factors that affect the production of semi-organic rice fields are land area, seeds, and manure. The use of land area production inputs is not yet efficient so it is necessary to add these inputs, while the use of seed and manure inputs is not efficient so there needs to be a reduction in the production input</p> Nastiti Winahyu Khofifa Nur Atika Navita Maharani Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-19 2024-08-19 2 2 63 73 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.4012 Marketing Strategy Of Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum Mill) Using Soar And Qspm Methods In The Argoayuningtani Farmers Group, Senden Village, Selo District Boyolali District https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/4017 <p>This research aims to: (1) determine the internal factors that are the strengths and aspirations of tomatoes marketing in Senden Village, Selo District, Boyolali Regency. (2) knowing the external factors that become opportunities and results in tomato marketing in Senden Village, Selo District, Boyolali Regency. (3) knowing the marketing strategy for tomatoes in Senden Village, Selo District, Boyolali Regency. The method used in this research is quantitative descriptive. The selection of research locations was carried out purposively, namely Senden Village, Selo District, Boyolali Regency. Sampling with key informants. The types of data used are primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques using observation, interviews and recording. The data analysis used is the SI and AI matrix, IE matrix and SOAR (<em>Strength, Opportunity, Aspiration, Result</em>) analysis. The results of the analysis from this research are that the SI matrix has a score of 2.28 and the AI matrix has a score of 2.31. The IE matrix analysis is in cell I, meaning this strategy is to grow and build (<em>Hold and Maintain</em>) with an intensive strategy consisting of market penetration, development and product development that focuses on existing tomatoes. The results of the SOAR analysis show five alternative strategies.</p> Wildana Latif Mahmudi Agung Prasetyo suswadi Mutiarra Ridyo Arum Kusriani Prasetyowati Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-20 2024-08-20 2 2 74 82 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.4017 Marketing Chain Analysis Of Big Red Chilli (Capsicum Annum L) In Kedawung District, Sragen Regency https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/4010 <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This study investigates the marketing of large red chilies in Kedawung District, Sragen Regency, Central Java, where farmers often face fluctuating prices, forcing them to sell at the prevailing market rates. Conducted in December 2021, the research focuses on understanding the marketing channels for these chilies amidst unstable prices. Using a descriptive analytical method, the study involved 10 farmers, 10 marketing agencies, and 10 consumers to identify and analyze the marketing channels. The study reveals three main marketing channels with varying structures and margins. Channel I, directly linking farmers to consumers via collectors, has a marketing margin of IDR 2000/Kg and a farmer's share of 88.3%. Channel II, which includes retailers, has a margin of IDR 7000/Kg and a 69% farmer's share. Channel III, involving wholesalers and retailers, shows the highest margin of IDR 9000/Kg with a 62.5% farmer's share. Despite the price fluctuations, all channels are deemed efficient based on the farmer's share data.</span></p> Irfan Rasyid Murtadho Mahananto Kusriani Prasetyowati Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-21 2024-08-21 2 2 83 88 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.4010 Analysis of Rice Demand in Klaten Regency https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/4022 <p>This study aims to analyze the influence of rice prices, population size, and income on rice demand, as well as to determine the elasticity of rice demand in Klaten Regency. A descriptive analysis method was employed using secondary time series data over a period of 10 years (2013-2022), which included rice demand and population data. The data analysis model applied was multiple linear regression and classical assumption tests. Hypotheses were tested using t-tests, F-tests, and R-squared tests. &nbsp;The results indicate that: 1) Rice prices have a negative influence on rice demand, with a p-value of 0.06; 2) Population size has a positive influence on rice demand, with a p-value of 0.003; 3) Per capita income positively influences rice demand, with a p-value of 0.004; and 4) Rice demand is inelastic, as the price elasticity coefficient (0 &lt; Ep &lt; 1) suggests that changes in rice demand are smaller than changes in rice prices. Income elasticity (EI &gt; 1) indicates that rice demand increases significantly with higher income levels.</p> Arif Fitdyanto Mahananto Agung Prasetyo Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-22 2024-08-22 2 2 89 95 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.4022 Marketing Channels Of Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) In Argoayuningtani Farmers' Group, Senden Village, Selo District, Boyolali District https://ejournal.utp.ac.id./index.php/JRUCS/article/view/4011 <p>This study aims to (1) determine the tomato marketing channels (2) determine the level of tomato marketing margins in each marketing channel (3) determine the efficiency of tomato marketing in each marketing channel. The method used is the quantitative descriptive method. The research implementation method is the survey method. The method of selecting the research location is done intentionally (purposive). The method of determining farmer samples using the total sampling technique and determining marketing institution samples using the snowball sampling technique. The data analysis method is carried out using marketing margin analysis and marketing efficiency analysis. The results of the study showed that there were two tomato marketing channels in the Argoayuningtani Farmer Group, namely the first tomato marketing channel starting from farmers to collectors then to wholesalers then to retailers then to consumers and the second marketing channel starting from farmers to retailers then to consumers. Marketing channel I obtained a marketing margin of Rp 11,000 / kg with an efficiency level of 16.84%. Marketing channel II obtained a marketing margin of Rp 6,000 / kg and a marketing efficiency level of 7.81%.</p> Andika Agung Prasetyo Norbertus Citra Irawan Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Rural and Urban Community Studies 2024-08-27 2024-08-27 2 2 96 102 10.36728/jrucs.v2i2.4011