Land Suitability Evaluation and Economic Feasibility of Cocoa Farming

Yolanda Fitria Syahri,Samuel Arung Paembonan,Siti Halimah Larekeng,Mustafa Rauf

doi:10.5755/j01.erem.76.3.24701

Yolanda Fitria Syahri, Samuel Arung Paembonan + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.76.3.24701

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Abstract

An evaluation of land suitability for cocoa cultivation was carried out in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, according to its climatic conditions, as well as physical, morphological, and chemical soil characteristics. Land suitability evaluation is essential since cocoa production correlates positively with land characteristics. Purposive sampling with a survey method was used in this study. There were 11 sampling locations, comprising eight and three villages in North Kolaka and East Kolaka, respectively. Results showed that land suitability class for cocoa cultivation in North Kolaka is S2 (suitable) at 1,721 hectares in Pumbolo village and S1 (very suitable) in the other seven sampling locations, covering an area of 7,018 hectares in Rante Baru, Lasusua, Koroha, Watunohu, Lelehao, Tambuha, and Puurau village. Land suitability for cocoa production in all sampling locations in East Kolaka is S2 (suitable), covering an area of 11,213 hectares in Poli-Polia, Palenga Jaya, and Toasu village. The limiting factors in all sampling locations include P2O5 availability, humidity, and effective soil depth. Therefore, the addition of phosphorus fertilizers becomes one of the priority strategies to increase cocoa productivity. From an economic feasibility point of view, the R/C ratio in North Kolaka and East Kolaka is 1.56 and 2.12, respectively, which means that cocoa farming has a great potential to be developed in the two locations.

Highlights

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the leading estate commodities in Indonesia, which plays a vital role in the economy of the country
This study aims to: 1) assess land suitability for cocoa growth based on climatic conditions as well as soil physical and chemical characteristics; and 2) analyze the economic feasibility of the development of cocoa plantation in North Kolaka and East Kolaka
Soil samples were taken at eight cocoa producing villages in North Kolaka, i.e., Pumbolo (Pl), Rante Baru (Rb), Lasusua (Ls), Koroha (Kh), Watunohu (Wh), Lelehao (Lh), Tambuha (Th), and Puurau (Pr), as well as three cocoa-producing villages in East Kolaka, i.e., Poly-Polia (Pp), Palenga Jaya (Pj), and Toasu (Tu)

Summary

Introduction

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the leading estate commodities in Indonesia, which plays a vital role in the economy of the country. Indonesia is the third-largest cocoa producer and exporter in the world, with a total export value of US$ 1.24 billion. Areas in Southeast Sulawesi with the largest cocoa production are North Kolaka Regency (58,630 tons or 46.87% of the total cocoa production in Southeast Sulawesi) and East Kolaka Regency (25,770 tons or 20.6% of the total cocoa production in Southeast Sulawesi) (Setjen Pertanian, 2016). Cocoa farmers in the two areas are categorized as smallholders since they cultivate and manage their farm themselves. Cocoa cultivation in North Kolaka and East Kolaka faces many obstacles in the field, including a high infestation of plant pests and low soil fertility. Cocoa farmers rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. One of the problems in managing cocoa plantations is the extensive use of chemicals to keep or increase land productivity (Syarif, et al, 2020)

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