Decision Making for Purchasing Certified Rice Seeds in Rainfed Paddy Fields

Certified seeds enhance rice yields, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen food security. However, their use still requires improvement, particularly in rainfed paddy fields, which face challenges within the agricultural business system. This study investigates farmers’ characteristics and perceptions regarding their decision-making processes when purchasing certified rice seeds. The research was conducted in Purworejo Regency in 2024 using a quantitative methodology. Data were collected through structured interviews with a questionnaire. The initial population was unknown; therefore, the sample size was determined following Cohen’s (1992) approach. With seven research variables, a significance level of 5%, and an R² value of 0.50, the minimum required sample size was 137 individuals. Purposive sampling was used to select 137 farmers who manage rainfed paddy fields, cultivate rice, and have experience using certified rice seeds. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the primary factors influencing farmers’ decisions to purchase certified rice seeds. The results indicated that socioeconomic conditions, including age and land area, significantly affect farmers’ decisions. Efforts to increase rice production through the use of certified rice seeds in rainfed paddy fields should focus on younger farmers (≤44 years) with land that meets the economic scale (≥0.52 ha). Additionally, farmers’ perceptions of seed attributes significantly influence their decisions to buy certified rice seeds, particularly regarding growth potential and harvesting age. To encourage farmers to purchase certified rice seeds from a technical perspective, it is essential to provide seeds with high growth potential and a short harvest age.