The Existence of Farming Types in Dryland Agriculture in Timor, Indonesia

Abstract

Timor Island is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province in Southeast Indonesia. This island is one of several large islands in East Nusa Tenggara which is climatologically included in the semi-arid area. The agroecological conditions have formed a specific dry climate dry land farming system. This study has been carried out to get an idea of the farming type within the scope of the farming system in Timor Island. This study used a survey method by collecting data and information on 370 farmers as respondents as randomly selected and assisted by a list of prepared questions. The data and information were covered the following aspects: (i). farmer characteristics; (ii). type of farming and orientation; (iv). commodity types and cropping pattern (v). planting patterns and cropping calendars, and (vi). farm management. Furthermore, all the data and information were tabulated and analyzed descriptively. It was concluded that most types of farming in East Nusa Tenggara are mixed farming, where this type of farming cultivates several commodities including livestock in one or several farming locations. This type of farming is part of an adaptation strategy to the agroecological environment in a semi-arid area by local farmers. At this stage, the farming orientation has shifted from previously being subsistence to a slight change towards commercial orientation. However, the farm performance was still classified as unproductive. This farming hasfaced with some challenges, namely the limited productive workforce, very simple cultivation management and not supported by cultivation technology/innovation, and the lack of available capital. There are no visible signs of an Integrated Farming System (IFS), even though IFS components are available for use.

The structural analysis of the farming systems resilience after the Covid-19 pandemic in West Timor, Indonesia

“…WEST TIMOR FARMING SYSTEM Basuki et al (2022), in their research "The existence of farming types in dryland agriculture in Timor, Indonesia", found that dryland mixed farming is the dominant type of farming system in East Nusa Tenggara Province, especially in West Timor. This farming covers several commodities in the same location (Basuki et al, 2022). This type of farming is part of an adaptation and coping strategy used by local farmers for the agroecological conditions of semi-arid land.…”

“…the irrigated wheat-based farming system and the lowland rice-based farming system (Indonesia), compared with the lower-input hill mixed farming system and dryland farming system, particularly for machinery services, fertiliser subsidies, and minimum support prices. Basuki et al (2022), in their research on "The existence of farming types in dryland agriculture in Timor, Indonesia", found that the dominant type of a farming system in West Timor, is mixed farming. This farming covers several commodities in the exact location, including the livestock sector.…”

Local Wisdom of West Timorese Farmers in Land Management

“…Climatologically, the western part of Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara (ENT) province, Indonesia, is classified as a semi-arid area, with a limited amount of annual rainfall; the precipitation is less than 1500 mm/year, and there are only three to four wet months per year, namely, December to March/April [19]. This differs from the dominant wet tropical climate of the western part of Indonesia.…”

“…The altitude of West Timor is dominated by the lowland area of below 700 m above sea level (m asl), which covers 86% of the highland area above 700 m asl [19] (Figure 1). In terms of land development, West Timor is dominated by young soils, such as Entisols and Inceptisols, as well as more developed soils, such as Vertisols and Alfisols.…”

“…The consequence of this challenging situation is that without being supported by sound knowledge and cultivation technology, agricultural productivity is low, and there is at times no harvest. The altitude of West Timor is dominated by the lowland area of below 700 m above sea level (m asl), which covers 86% of the highland area above 700 m asl [19] (Figure 1). In terms of land development, West Timor is dominated by young soils, such as Entisols and Inceptisols, as well as more developed soils, such as Vertisols and Alfisols.…”