Search

The potency and challenges of sorghum development in tidal swamplands in Indonesia have yet to be well studied. Thus, our study is the first to evaluate the land suitability, economic performance, and strategies for developing sorghum in the tidal swamplands in Central Kalimantan. We use the land suitability evaluation method, a gross margin and profit analysis, a break-even analysis, and a competitive analysis as the methods for assessing the potency and utilization of sorghum in this study. As a tool for decision-making, SWOT was also used, followed by a quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) analysis. The results show that 578,511 ha of arable land is suitable for sorghum development. Economically, sorghum farming can generate IDR 12,894,000 per ha with a revenue-cost ratio of 1.72; the break-even price would be IDR 2447 per kg, around 42% lower than the current market price. Sorghum is also more competitive than cassava (Q = 0.76), sweet potato (Q = 0.58), and soybeans (Q = 0.61) and less competitive than maize (Q = 1.33). Based on the QSPM analysis, five alternative strategies were obtained for developing sorghum in tidal swamplands: (1) optimization of productivity; (2) improvement in the quality of human resources for farmers; (3) facilitation of partnership cooperation; (4) application of site-specific technology; and (5) optimization of waste utilization. These strategies show that the expansion of sorghum planting has potential in the tidal swamplands and economic value for the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to determine plant biomass, carbon potential, and CO2 reserve potential in understory vegetation in general, namely grasslands, shrubs, and rainfed rice fields. The sampling of the research was carried out randomly and intentionally, and was limited to the vegetation of reeds, shrubs and rainfed land bushes in the Aceh Besar District of Indonesia. The sample was taken based on a digitized map obtained from overlaying the land use map, slope map, soil type map, and Aceh Besar government map. Measurement of biomass in the vegetation of Imperata, shrubs, and rainfed rice fields is in accordance with procedures from the Indonesian National Standard (2011) and the World Agroforestry Center. The area of bush vegetation is larger than that of rainfed rice fields and grasslands. In general, the plants found in bush vegetation are Acacia leucoeplhoea, Mimosa pudica, Cyperus rotundus, and Eleusine indica. Grassland vegetation has one plant only, namely, Pennisetum purpureum. The vegetation of rainfed rice fields consists of the Oryza sativa type of plant. Plant biomass, carbon [C] content, and carbon potential in bush vegetation are greater than that of grassland and rainfed rice fields, as well as plant biomass reserves, plant biomass carbon and total CO2 reserves. Shrubs and woody plants render the potential for biomass, carbon, and CO2 absorption greater than that of grassland and rainfed rice fields. This is in accordance with the research that the increase in biomass is followed by an increase in potential carbon storage. Parameters that affect biomass indirectly will also affect carbon storage in a biomass and in an ecosystem, namely, individual density, stem diameter, tree species diversity, and soil. The density of trees in an area will affect the increase in carbon stocks through an increase in biomass. This is because the vegetation of shrubs does not only consist of undergrowth, but also of woody stems such as Acacialeucoeploea, making carbon stock potential in bush vegetation greater than that of grassland and rainfed rice fields, as shrubs cover an area of 96,962.2 ha, hence larger than that of grasslands and rainfed rice fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]