Land optimization by using banana plants as shading on nutmeg plants in the farmer plantation area

Abstract

Smallholder plantations are agricultural areas in North Sulawesi (about 50-60%) with an area of about 413,000 ha, of which more than 97% of the managers are farmers and generally located in one area. This paper aims to optimize land use for nutmeg by using banana plants as shade in the nutmeg growth phase as an acceleration of farming development in the farmers plantation area of North Sulawesi. The research was carried out in Kauditan District, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province from March to December 2021. The area of the research object is 1 ha of nutmeg plants with 3 local banana varieties (Goroho, Cepatu, Ambon) planted as shade plants. Growth observations were made on nutmeg and banana plants. The results showed that the use of banana plants as shade plants gave a good response to the growth of nutmeg as the main crop. Farmers in plantation areas get significant added value from banana plants when nutmeg plants are in their infancy. The findings from this study are still very limited, so more in-depth further research is needed.