Salibu rice cultivation in Indonesia’s lowlands: A review of agronomic innovations and sustainability pathways

The Salibu system is an indigenous rice cultivation technique developed by farmers in West Sumatra, Indonesia, which allows multiple harvests from a single planting through the regeneration of tillers from post-harvest rice stubble. Despite its promising potential to enhance rice productivity and sustainability, its adoption remains limited, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of its principles, applications, and constraints. The structure of this review comprises seven main sections, including an overview of Indonesia’s lowland rice agroecosystems, the Salibu system, innovations, productivity impacts, adoption strategies, challenges, and future development recommendations. This review synthesizes agronomic principles, regional applications, and the sustainability potential of the Salibu system within Indonesia’s lowland rice agroecosystems, and key innovations such as precision stem cutting, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, and the use of biofertilisers. Drawing from scientific literature, field reports, and local practices, this article identifies that these innovations can improve regenerative growth, yield stability, and environmental efficiency. However, broader implementation faces challenges, including incompatible rice varieties, variable soil conditions, limited farmer knowledge, and inadequate institutional support. The findings suggest that successful adoption depends on targeted farmer training, participatory extension models, and supportive agricultural policies. In conclusion, the Salibu system offers strong potential to increase rice yields, reduce environmental impacts, and support smallholder livelihoods. Coordinated efforts in research, policy, and on-farm implementation are essential to scale its impact and integrate it into national climate-resilient food strategies.