Land Capability Classification for Land Evaluation : a Review

Land capability classification has been used for land evaluation for various purposes in many countries in the world. Since developed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a part of the programme to control soil erosion, the land capability classification has been further developed by a number of authors in many countries to suit their requirements. Of the numerous land capability classification have been published, fourteen are selected to be reviewed. The results shows that the aims of the various land capability classification schemes are generally similar: to evolve methodology whereby land may be evaluated for a particular land use purposes. Most of the methodologies were designed mainly for evaluating the capability of land for agriculture, either in narrow (specific) or in broad terms (including forestry, pasture, etc). Three methods of evaluation of data can be identified: Firstly, descriptive methods whereby capability classes or other categories are descriptive solely in words. Secondly, rating, grading or indexing system whereby each attribute is assigned a rate, grade or index and the capability class or other category is defined in terms of the sum of the weighted scores. Thirdly, quantitative methods whereby the relationships between variables are defined in terms of an equation used to obtain a score or index which defines the capability class or other categories. The capability methods also vary both as hierarchical systems and in terms of the number of categories used. They are also vary in terms of scale, and some do not even specify the scales used. Although substantial differences are found among the methodologies in terms of their purposes and detailed procedures, these are all broadly similar in terms of the general approach and activities involved

Rehabilitation of Degraded Land Using Paddy Straw Compost and Peat for Agriculture Purposes

The objectives of the research were to study: (1) the influence of peat and paddy straw compost on crop growth and production, and (2) the influence of residual effect of peat and paddy straw compost application on soil chemical characteristics. The research was conducted at Cikembang, Sukabumi; Cikabayan, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor; and Rasau Jaya,Pontianak, respectively. Soil analysis was conducted at soil laboratory of Department of Soil Science and Land Resource, IPB and Soil Research Centre, Bogor. The research area was degraded grass land located at 300 m above sea level with slope less than 15%. Factorial Design with two replications was used with soybean var. Slamet as an indicator crop. Treatments comprise peat and paddy straw compost, each with five dosesi.e. for peat : 0 t ha-1, 7 t ha-1, 14 t ha-1, 21 t ha-1, and 28 t ha-1, respectively and for paddy straw compost 0 t ha-1, 10 t ha-1, 20 t ha-1, 30 t ha-1, and 40 t ha-1. Observation was carried out for crop height, grain dry weight, and soil chemical characteristics after harvesting. The results showed that application of peat and paddy straw compost significantly increased crop height and production of soya bean. Application of single 40 t ha-1 paddy straw compost significantly increase the highest grain dry weight. The rehabilitation effort was also increase soil fertility status. Residue of paddy straw compost and peat application was significantly increase soil chemical characteristics i.e.: organic-C, N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, and Base saturation of the soil. The highest N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, CEC, and base saturation of the soil was found in application of single paddy straw with doses of 40 t ha-1. Application of paddy straw compost fordegraded land increased soya bean production and rehabilitated of soil condition better than application of peat

Sinergi Tata Ruang terhadap Pelaksanaan REDD+: Studi Kasus di Kabupaten Katingan, Kalimantan Tengah

Salah satu upaya mitigasi Perubahan iklim adalah REDD+, yang mencakup penurunan emisi melalui upaya penurunan laju deforestasi dan degradasi hutan, pengelolaan hutan lestari, peningkatan cadangan karbon hutan,serta upaya konservasi hutan. Kabupaten Katingan terletak di wilayah Provinsi Pilot Percontohan REDD+, Kalimantan Tengah. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pola Perubahan penggunaan lahan hutan, inkonsistensi penggunaan lahan, isi kebijakan perencanaan daerah dengan elemen dasar dan proses REDD+, pendapat stakeholder atas inisiatif REDD+, dan merumuskan arahan RTRW. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis Perubahan dan inkonsistensi penggunaan lahan, analisis isi, Analisis Proses Bertingkat (Analytical Hierarchy Process), serta analisis Analytical Hierarchy Process deskriptif. Hasilnya adalah penggunaan lahan hutan mencapai 60,47% dan pola Perubahan penggunaan lahan hutan terjadi dari hutan menjadi semak belukar/tanah terbuka kemudian menjadi tanaman perkebunan, pertanian danpemukiman. Analisis inkonsistensi menunjukkan tingkat inkonsistensi kecil. Sementara itu elemen dasar dan proses REDD+ terkandung di dalam dokumen perencanaan daerah; dan tertarik akan inisiatif REDD+ untuk stakeholder memperoleh manfaat langsung. Inisiatif REDD+ dapat berjalan di Kabupaten Katingan dengan penyempurnaan RTRW, melalui upaya sinkronisasi inisiatif REDD+ dan RTRW Kabupaten serta upaya akomodasi ruang inisiatif REDD+ pada kawasan lindung dan sebagian kawasan budi daya

Soil Destruction Level at Upstream of Cikapundung Sub Watershed on the North of Bandung Area

The upstream of Cikapundung sub watershed is the high land which is located on the North of Bandung Area. The soil is fertile, therefore the land is used as farming. The agriculture land is slope and the farmers have not applied the technology of conservation yet, as the result the soil susceptible to erosion. Consequently it decreases the productivity of land. The objectives of study were: (1) to evaluate erosion (value and risk erosion) at the use of land existing and (2) to investigate soil destruction level by erosion and its impact to productivity of land at upstream of Cikapundung sub watershed. The research used survey method. The data consisted of secondary data and primary data. The secondary data was collected through desk study, whereas primary data was collected through interviewed farmers, the soil observation, and soil sample analyses that is included the contain of sand, dust, and clay; C-organic; and nutrient content (N, P, K, and Ca) at Laboratory. The data analysis was done according to descriptive. The result showed that the most soil erosion was at the type of vegetable land use which use intensively at slope 25-40%.Value erosion roundabout 22.57-597.76 ton ha-1 year-1 or 0.33-8.79 cm. Level of destruction soil by erosion at upstream of Cikapundung sub watershed majority was medium critic (the upper soil was loss >75%) and spread at some units land. During five years, the impact of erosion decreased C-organic 60.05%, N 44.7%, P 52.3%, K 24.7%, and Ca 27.2%. Productivity Potato decrease 60%, whereas cabbage 40%

Post-mining Land Characteristics and Rehabilitation Technique in Bangka and Singkep Islands

Post-mining land has generally unfavourable characteristics for a growing media for crops. The objectives of the present study were: (1) to study natural changing of soil physical and chemical properties and natural vegetation of four different ages of tailing, (2) to study rehabilitation technique of post mining tailing for forest crops, and (3) to study effects of ameliorant on soil physical and chemical properties, and heavy metal content on four different ages of tailing. Analysis of tailing characteristics, in situ natural vegetation analysis and two sets of green house experiments had been done. The two greenhouse experiments comprise: (1) tailing from Sungai Liat Bangka with two factors, those are three level applications of organic matter and mineral soil with teak as an indicator plant and (2) tailing from Dabo Singkep with treatments: tailing + compost 9:1,tailing + animal manure 9:1 and tailing as control, CMA inoculant and forest trees akasia (Acacia auriculiformis), gamal (Gliricidia maculata), lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala) and sengon or jeungjing (Paraserianthes falcataria). The result showed that: generally, tin mining reduce soil quality and number of natural vegetation. The soil characteristics and number of vegetation are generally increase (getting better) with time. The first greenhouse experiment showed that the best response of teak plant was under combination of organic mater and soil mineral whereas ameliorant proportion factor is not significantly different. The second greenhouse experiment showed that the treatments were significantly influencing canopy diameter, leaf number, root length and tree trunk circle, respectively. The best rehabillitation technique was combination of animal manure, mycorrhizal inoculants treatments and lamtoro (L. leucocephala). Soil characteristics and heavy metal contents were significantly influenced by ameliorant and tailing ages. Soil chemical properties were significantly influenced by tailing age, types and proportions of ameliorant. The Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Sn of soil were significantly influenced by tailing ages and the highest was on the six years tailing

A Preliminary Criteria and Classification of Land Degradation Level on Dryland (Case Study : Dryland in Bogor Regency)

Optimization of dry land utilization in Indonesia including in Bogor Regency is generally still has a lot of constraints. One of the causes is land degradation. At the moment, land degradation inventory is still resulting tentative acreages, since the criterion and overcome priority were different among institutions. This research aims (1) to know variables affecting level of land degradation, and (2) to compose criterion (classes range) andclassification of land degradation level in dry land both for reconnaissance and semi-detail scales based on variables affecting level of degradation. The research was conducted at three subdistricts, namely Sukamakmur, Babakan Madang and Cigudeg subdistricts. Data was collected on surveys through a case study. Biophysical data and soil samples were collected at60 key regions (derived from 3 subdistricts x 5 land critical levels x 4 replications). On each key region, undisturbed and composite soil samples were collected, altogether 60 undisturbed and 60 composite soil samples. The data were analyzed using discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. This research was resulting three criterions (range of classes) for five variables determining level of land degradation for reconnaissance and eight variables for semi-detail scales. The five variables for reconnaissance scale were type of bedrock, slope, conservation practices (P-value), silt percentage, and land use/vegetation (Cvalue). The eight variables for semi-detail scale were type of bedrock, slope, conservation practices (P-value), silt percentage, land use/vegetation (C-value), P-available, exchangeable Al, and H. This research had also generated three degradation levels for reconnaissance and semi-detail scales. The classification of land degradation for reconnaissance scale were (1) slightly degraded land (score <16), (2) moderately degraded land (score 16-39),and (3) strongly degraded land (score >39). Whilst, the classification of land degradation for semi-detail scale were (1) slightly degraded land (score <15), (2) moderately degraded land (score 15-38), and (3) strongly degraded land (score > 38)

Analisis Regulasi Dan Kebijakan Keamanan Hayati Dan Peluang Keberhasilan Adopsi Benih Transgenik Di Indonesia

Analysis of Regulation and Policy on Biosafety andLikelihood of Transgenic Seeds Adoption in Indonesia.Edwin S. Saragih, Santun R.P. Sitorus, Harianto, andSugiono Moeljopawiro. Since more than 10 years, anumber of works in field of modern biotechnology havebeen programmed in public research institutes anduniversities in Indonesia and few foreign companies haveput efforts in introducing transgenic varieties. This significantdevelopment raises intriguing question as to why there hasnot been any transgenic food crop seed planted by farmersin the country. A status quo was observed in whichregulatory regime on biosafety has been in a situation ofprolonged transitional phase and necessary institutionalframework has not been firmly in place. There weredistinguished lines among stakeholders on benefitawareness, risks perception and worry on multinationalcompanies\u27 control over seed supply. There is a fairexpectation that similar benefits experienced by adoptingcountries could also help increase food production inIndonesia. However, potential contribution of transgenicseeds for the country is still largely unexplored. There arenumbers of potential transgenic seeds namely transgenicrice, soybean, potato, tomato and corn, with the latter wouldshow slightly better likelihood of success once adoptionhappens. Decision making instrument as determinant factorin ensuring safe application and release of transgenic seedshas not yet existed despite the fact that capacity for biosafetyassessment conduct is undoubtedly sufficient. It is importantto note that the new regulation on biosafety (PP No. 21/2005)open opportunities for assessing transgenic product under atransitional clause. Nonetheless, the new regulation has notbeen able securing food safety statement of importedtransgenic products (especially corn and soybean) whichhave been used for domestic consumption

Kebijakan Pengembangan Pertanian Kota Berkelanjutan: Studi Kasus Di DKI Jakarta

Revitalisasi sektor pertanian pada dasarnya adalah menempatkan kembali arti pentingnya pertanian secara proporsional dan kontekstual, baik di perdesaan maupun perkotaan. Melihat kondisi pertanian di daerah perkotaan, khususnya DKI Jakarta, dan hubungannya dengan berbagai masalah lingkungan, perlu dirancang dan dirumuskan kebijakan yang komprehensif untuk pengembangan pertanian perkotaan berkelanjutan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis faktor-faktor kunci yang mempengaruhi keberlanjutan dan kebijakan pengembangan pertanian perkotaan. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah MDS (multi-dimensional scaling) dan teknik Rap-Ur-Agri (Rapid Appraisal for Urban Agriculture). Analisis faktor kunci menggunakan leverage factor yang diikuti dengan penentuan indeks keberkelanjutan dan skenario kebijakan pengembangan pertanian dengan menggunakan metode analisis prospektif. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa status keberlanjutan pengembangan pertanian perkotaan pada kondisi existing menunjukkan nilai indeks 48,70 persen atau kurang berkelanjutan. Faktor kunci keberlanjutan pertanian perkotaan mencakup empat aspek dan kebutuhan stakeholder mencakup empat aspek pengembangan sistem pertanian perkotaan. Kebijakan pengembangan pertanian perkotaan berkelanjutan di wilayah DKI Jakarta perlu dilakukan dengan pendekatan integratif dengan mempertimbangkan enam faktor kunci penentu keberlanjutan: (1) Luas pekarangan, (2) Pengembangan komoditas dan teknologi ramah lingkungan, (3) Penyuluhan dan kelembagaan pertanian, (4) Perluasan lahan/ruang USAha tani, (5) Kerjasama antar stakeholder, dan (6) Pemberian insentif pertanian. Opsi kebijakan adalah perluasan lahan/ruang USAha tani, pengembangan komoditas dan teknologi ramah lingkungan dan pengembangan kelembagaan pertanian