Land suitability evaluation of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) at production centres in Losari District, Brebes

Abstract

The demand for shallots is getting higher as the population grows. Indonesia targets to become a self-sufficient country of onion and the largest exporter of shallots in ASEAN by 2045. One of the shallot production centres is Losari District, Brebes, but the shallots productivity has decreased, so it is necessary to know the cause and the improvement effort to overcome it. The research was a land survey and evaluation to determine the current and the potential land suitability classes for the shallot. Data analysis using LMU (Land Map Unit) as the unit of analysis, which is the result of an overlay of soil type map, slope map and land use map using ArcGIS 10.3. The sampling method was purposive sampling and data analyzed using the matching method between the results of land characteristics data with the requirements of shallots growing. Results showed that even in production centres, the current suitability classes are marginally suitable (S3) as the heaviest limiting factors are very high rainfall. Improvement efforts to overcome this can be done by using suitable varieties, making gully drainage and using mulch/shade so that the potential land suitability class increases to be moderately suitable (S2).