Readiness of the Local Government to Support the Implementation of Cropping Index 400 (IP 400) Program in Sukoharjo Regency

Enhancing agricultural productivity is a central priority of the Indonesian government to ensure national food security, particularly for rice, the primary staple food of the population. One strategic effort to achieve this goal is the implementation of the Cropping Index 400 (IP 400) program, which encourages four planting cycles annually without expanding agricultural land. The program has been executed since 2020 in accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Plan 2020–2024. Sukoharjo Regency is one of the regions actively implementing the program, supported by its technically irrigated rice fields and high farmer participation. Nevertheless, the success of program implementation largely depends on the local government’s readiness in aspects of institutional coordination, infrastructure availability, and technical guidance for farmers. This study aims to assess the readiness of the Sukoharjo Regency Government in implementing the IP 400 program and to identify the factors influencing its effectiveness at the local level. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study provides an in-depth understanding of the implementation process, supported by quantitative data combining in-depth interviews and field observations with a structured farmer perception survey. Data were collected from key informants (local government officers and extension workers) and farmer respondents participating in the IP 400 program. Farmer perception scores were calculated as percentage indices derived from Likert-scale responses. The results indicate that local government readiness remains suboptimal, primarily due to limitations in facilities and infrastructure, as well as disparities in the technical capacity of agricultural officers and extension workers. Despite these challenges, the IP 400 program has been initiated in several areas with promising outcomes. These findings underline the need for stronger institutional coordination, continuous capacity building, and more intensive farmer mentoring to ensure effective and sustainable IP 400 implementation in Sukoharjo Regency.