Traditional ecological knowledge as a bi-functional sustainability mechanism in Bali: Reducing agrochemicals and securing rice yields

The goal of this study is to find out how sustainable Bali's rice farming industry is by looking at Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), rice production as an economic output, and the environmental effects of using chemicals like pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Tri Hita Karana (THK) represents TEK, and technological integration further enhances the research. The survey responses from 1220 rice farmers were used. They were gathered using a stratified two-stage sampling method, and there is a 5 % margin of error. After data normalization, we examined 987 samples using robust regression, odds ratio, and clustering techniques. Modeling results indicate that TEK positively influences agricultural productivity while diminishing the need for inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. The application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides that enhance productivity indicates their suitable and non-excessive use. In addition to TEK, the equitable integration of technology also influences the increase in rice output and productivity in Bali. However, the clustering outcomes continue to classify certain regions as agriculturally vulnerable. Policy recommendations should prioritize agricultural cultivation systems that emphasize sustainability across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The effective integration of these three aspects will enhance agricultural management and promote future sustainability.