Assessing True Shallot Seed (TSS) Performance and Farmers^ Perceptions of Its Innovation Attributes Witono Adiyoga
Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economics, National Research and Innovation Agency
Jl. Gatot Subroto - Jakarta
Abstract
True Shallot Seed (TSS) cultivation is a new shallot production technique that does not use vegetative tubers as planting material, but rather seeds. This study aimed to examine the field performance of TSS and assess farmers^ perceptions of TSS innovation attributes. On-farm participatory trials involving eight farmers were conducted in Cirebon and Brebes during June-August 2020. Compared to Trisula and Maserati, Sanren^s performance was the best in both nursery and transplanting stages. Maserati showed the second best performance in seed emergence and yields. Meanwhile, although farmers had rated Trisula high scores for color, pungency, and bulb shape, poorer yields made Trisula the least financially viable than the others. Basically, all farmers responded positively to TSS innovation attributes (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) which indicated high likability to TSS. Farmers perceived TSS to provide higher yields, better tuber quality, and higher profits. In the meantime, farmers also considered TSS cultivation to be more costly and risky to pests and diseases. However, a strong intention to adopt TSS was expected given the overall positive attitude of farmers towards TSS.
