Revitalization of farmers organization functions toward agribusiness for its sustainability: ideas for traditional irrigation organization in bali province, Indonesia

Agricultural sector has significant roles in Indonesian economic development as an agrarian country. In case of Bali, agricultural development is still being become a priority through subak, even though the tourism development is highly increased. Widely speaking, subak constitutes a customary law community having very strong characteristics, namely socio- agriculture –religious which manages an irrigation system in rice farming. Nowadays, it has been clearly found that several problems happened within subak regarding its sustainability, as follows: (i) competition of water uses; (ii) lack of capital; (iii) lack of agribusiness skills; and (iv)pests and diseases attack. In the long run, the mentioned problems might bring about some consequences, such as low income of farmers (subak members), the rice field areas will be decreased, less motivation/interest to work in farming activity, including worsen the environment. Hence, these could threaten the subak sustainability. One of the key important thing in keeping sustainability of subak is agribusiness oriented-activity that has still based on the local wisdom. Some recommendation strategies for developing agribusiness activities in subak are: (i) improvement of operation and maintenance of irrigation system; (ii) supporting capital; (iii) extension and training about agribusiness system; (iv)crop diversification; and (v) establishment of cooperative unit.