STRATEGIC ACTIONS PLANNING TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE SHALLOT PRODUCTION BASED ON LAND SUITABILITY ANALYSIS AND SPECIFIC AGRONOMIC PRACTICES IN SAMOSIR REGENCY
Delima Napitupulu, Sri Endah Nurzannah and Deddy Romulo Siagian

Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology of North Sumatera

Abstract

Samosir Regency is one of the highest regency of shallot producers in North Sumatera Province. Approximately 255 ha of its harvested area produces 1,976.8 ton or contributes 12.1% for provincial level. The increase of consumption and industrial demand force regencial government to raise shallot production. On the other side, the two critical information about land suitability and agronomic practices for shallot were limited. Thus, this study was arranged to determine some strategic actions planning based on land suitability analysis and some specific agronomic practices for developing sustainable shallot production. The field survey and soil analysis were conducted to gain the goals by supporting of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Evaluation System of Land Suitability tools. The results show that about 47,789 ha (38.65%) of Samosir Regency suitable for shallot which is grouped in S3 level (Low Suitable)- with some limiting factors such as nutrient retention, nutrient availability, and erosion hazard. While, about 75,839 ha (61.35%) of the rest area was grouped in N level (Not Suitable) means grouped as an unproductive area for shallot growth- with some limited factors such as root crop and erosion hazard. Some strategic actions to improve the land quality are giving organic and chemical fertilizer, applying agricultural lime to stabilize soil pH and increase Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and doing conservation technique on the steep area by building terrace. Furthermore, information about the specific agronomic practices for shallot, starting from seedling treatment to harvesting process, is disseminated as well. These promising strategies can be used to achieve sustainable shallot production in Samosir Regency.

Keywords: land suitability, gis, agronomic practices, shallot, samosir regency

Topic: Geospatial Agriculture