The potential of intercropping citrus and rice to improve the productivity of swamp land in Indonesia

Abstract

Appropriate and integrated land management technology in utilizing swamp land with optimal and sustainable productivity is needed because the swamp ecosystem is naturally fragile. The development of intercropping rice and citrus on tidal land needs to be supported by the application of cultivation technology and institutional strengthening of farmers so that the results obtained can be optimum and sustainable. Common problems that arise in the use of tidal land for agriculture include a variety of overflow and inundation conditions, very diverse types of soil with varied and low fertility levels, soil acidity and high potential for pyrite toxicity, variety of peat thickness and maturity level, and the condition of farmers who are still weak both in terms of skills and capital. This paper discusses the intercropping potential of citrus and rice to increase the productivity of swamps in Indonesia, the environmental and technical constraints, and strategies in proper and integrated land management.