Different Types of Crops Grown in Indonesia

What are Crops?

A crop is a plant that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or
subsistence. Crops may refer either to the harvested parts or to the harvest in a
more refined state. Most crops are cultivated in agriculture or aquaculture. A crop
may include macroscopic fungus (e.g. mushrooms), or macroscopic
marine alga (e.g. seaweed).
Most crops are harvested as food for humans or fodder for livestock. Some crops
are gathered from the wild (including intensive gathering, e.g. ginseng, yohimbe,
Eucommia.
What are the Different types of Crops Grown in Indonesia?

Grains, pulses and root crops, i.e. the food crops, include rice, maize, groundnut,
soybean, cassava and sweet potato and a number of other crops. The main staple
food crop in Indonesia is rice, which is produced mainly in irrigated or lowland
systems. The other food crops are called secondary crops because they are usually
grown after lowland rice, the first crop in the one-year crop rotation
system. Palawija crops are grown also under non-irrigated or rainfed conditions.

What are the Places where they are mainly Grown and the Stages of Production
of these Crops?

Rice

Rice is grown under intensive cropping with irrigation systems (lowland rice) and
rainfed or upland conditions (upland rice). Under dependable irrigation two crops
per year are commonly grown by farmers, and occasionally up to five crops can be
planted in a 2-year period. Expansion of the lowland rice area in Java is limited due
to increasing competition for land with other crops and for non-agricultural uses,
such as industry, housing and roads. Agriculture expansion to the outer islands is
hindered by the lack of irrigation facilities and swampy, peat or infertile soils.

The production of lowland rice is highly concentrated on Java, followed by Sumatera

and Sulawesi. The share of harvested area and production of rice in Java from 1998
to 2002 has been nearly constant at around 51 percent. The average yield of brown
rice grain was higher on Java than in the other regions, indicating the higher soil
fertility or fertilizer use on Java. The total annual harvested area of lowland rice did
not change much during the five-year period; it is about 10.5 million ha.

During the period 1998 to 2002, the harvested area of upland rice fell from 1.3
million ha to 1.1 million ha in 2002 but the average yield remained constant about
2.3 tonnes/ha. The area of upland rice was much less and the average yield lower
than those of lowland rice. Farmers grow upland rice mainly for subsistence
purposes. Many farmers still use old, long growing-period varieties, which have the
aroma and taste they prefer. Besides being planted in rotation with food crops such
as maize, groundnut and cassava, upland rice is also intercropped with newly
replanted rubber trees, especially by smallholders in regions other than Java.
Maize

Maize is the second most important crop after rice. The maize area also is
concentrated mostly in Java. From 1998 to 2002, this island accounted for about 57
percent of harvested area and about 61 percent of the total production. Maize yields
in the outer islands were lower than those in Java. The lower maize yields in the
outer islands, also the yields of other palawija crops, is caused by lower soil fertility
and rates of fertilizer use. The demand for maize continues to increase, mainly for
livestock feed, but from 1998 to 2002 the harvested maize areas decreased from 3
816 to 3 121 thousand ha. Unless there is a substantial increase in the maize area,
especially in Java, and a substantial improvement in soil fertility in the outer islands,
meeting the maize demand will continue to depend on imports.

Island Harvested area ('000 ha) Average yield (tonnes/ha)

1998 2000 2002 1998 2000 2002

Java 2 218 1 957 1 736 2.76 2.96 3.37

Sumatera 739 745 663 2.70 2.82 2.95

Bali & Nusa Tenggara 318 323 307 2.10 2.13 2.78

Kalimantan 55 57 49 1.56 1.61 1.97

Sulawesi 477 408 356 2.54 2.45 2.55

Maluku & Papua 10 9 10 1.40 1.49 1.54

Indonesia 3 816 3 500 3 121 2.64 2.77 3.05

Excluding Java 1 598 1 543 1 385 2.48 2.52 2.65

Groundnut

Total harvested area of groundnut is relatively small. The area remained stable
between 1998 and 2002 with relatively low yields of 1.1 tonnes/ha. About 65 to 70
percent of the groundnut area is concentrated on Java. Groundnut is grown after
lowland rice and is commonly not fertilized.

Island Harvested area ('000 ha) Average yield (tonnes/ha)

1998 2000 2002 1998 2000 2002

Java 423 466 446 1.05 1.08 1.12

Sumatera 80 67 62 1.05 1.07 1.08

Bali & Nusa Tenggara 48 53 55 1.11 1.09 1.13

Kalimantan 24 23 20 1.11 1.05 1.16

Sulawesi 65 65 61 1.09 1.09 1.08

Maluku & Papua 6 1 4 0.95 0.92 1.07

Indonesia 647 684 648 1.06 1.08 1.11

Excluding Java 223 218 203 1.08 1.07 1.10

Soybean

Soybean, together with groundnut, is an important source of protein in the traditional

diet of the Indonesian people. During the period under consideration, the total
harvested area of soybean decreased from 1 094 to 546 thousand ha, especially in
Java (Table 22). The average yield remained low at about 1.2 tonnes/ha. The major
producing area is Java, which from 1998 to 2002 contributed between 61 and 73
percent of the total harvested area. Smallholder farmers are the main growers but as
they plant groundnuts after lowland rice, they rely on the residual fertility of the soil.

Island Harvested area ('000 ha) Average yield (tonnes/ha)

1998 2000 2002 1998 2000 2002

Java 669 553 398 1.24 1.29 1.21

Sumatera 207 120 47 1.11 1.11 1.14

 Bali & Nusa Tenggara 138 81 64 1.09 1.09 1.15

Kalimantan 16 16 11 1.09 1.10 1.17

Sulawesi 55 45 22 1.22 1.24 1.24

Maluku & Papua 9 9 5 1.08 1.06 1.04

Indonesia 1 094 824 547 1.19 1.23 1.20

Excluding Java 425 271 149 1.12 1.13 1.16

Sweet potato

The area devoted to sweet potato is relatively small and from 1998 to 2002, the total
harvested area decreased from 199 to 171 thousand ha (Table 23). The main growing
area is Java, but during the reported period, the harvested area on this island
decreased considerably, from 82 to 62 thousand ha and its share of the total harvested
area fell from 41 percent to 36 percent. The second largest growing area is Sumatera
Island, but the harvested area also decreased there, although yields tended to
increase. Sweet potato is commonly not fertilized in Indonesia.
What kind of different tools are used by Farmers for Farming in Indonesia?

Agricultural tools such as sickle, plough, hoe, drills, etc. are implemented in agricultural activities to
make the process more productive and efficient. There are a large number of agricultural tools used
by the farmers for cultivation.
Following are the different types of agricultural tools used in farming:

Plough
It is usually derived from wood and is pulled by two bulls. It has been used since ancient times for
tiling, turning the soil and adding fertilizers. It consists of a long wooden log called ploughshaft. It
has a strong triangular iron strip known as a ploughshare. The other end is connected to a beam that
is then placed on the bull’s neck. However, the wooden ploughs are now substituted by iron ploughs
and it is drawn by tractors.

Hoe
Hoe has been used since ancient times for cultivation purposes. It consists of a long rod of wood
and is pulled by the animals. It is pulled by the animals and is used for loosening the soil and
removing weeds. It has a strong, broad, bent plate of iron which works as a blade.
Cultivator
A plough attached to a tractor is called a cultivator. This reduces labour and saves time. It stirs the
soil around the maturing crop to promote growth and destroy weeds.

Seed Drill
This is used for sowing seeds. This is done with the help of tractors. It makes sure that the seeds
are sown at equal distances and depths and are covered with the soil. This allows plants to receive
sufficient sunlight, nutrients, and water from the soil. This saves labour, time and protects the seeds
from being eaten by birds or other animals.

What is Irrigation and What are its Benefits?

Irrigation is defined as the carefully controlled process of watering agricultural

crop through artificial means in order to facilitate their growth and development.

The importance of irrigation can be explained in the following points:

1. Insufficient and uncertain rainfall adversely affects agriculture. Droughts

and famines are caused due to low rainfall. Irrigation helps to increase
productivity even in low rainfall.
2. The productivity on irrigated land is higher as compared to the un-irrigated
land.
3. Multiple cropping is not possible in India because the rainy season is
specific in most of the regions. However, the climate supports cultivation
throughout the year. Irrigation facilities make it possible to grow more than
one crop in most of the areas of the country.
4. Irrigation has helped to bring most of the fallow land under cultivation.
5. Irrigation has stabilized the output and yield levels.
6. Irrigation increases the availability of water supply, which in turn increases
the income of the farmers.
What are the Different methods or Irrigation used in the different parts of
Indonesia?

1. Rice Fields
Irrigated rice fields are fields that obtain irrigation from technical irrigation in the
form of an irrigation system whose water comes from an artificial lake (river dam,
made a good and regular water channel and then flowed into the rice field).
Irrigated rice fields also have simple irrigation made by village farmers.

Rice fields have lots of water. Wetland farming is often carried out in areas that
have plenty of water reserves. In general, wetlands in the country of Indonesia
experience various pressures towards destruction. Forest conversion, illegal
logging, and forest fires are the main threats to wetland agriculture. Many
communities depend on wetland agriculture.

2. Non-irrigated rice fields

Non-irrigated rice fields are rice fields that obtain irrigation technically. It usually
grow with a little of water even no water at all. It can be divided into:

§ Rainfed rice fields, namely rice fields that are irrigated from rainwater so
that the planting is done in the rainy season.
§ Lebak rice fields, namely rice fields located on the right and left of the river
whose soil is lower than the river.
§ Broken rice fields (tides), namely rice fields located close to swamps or river
estuaries on sloping beach areas. The water comes from rivers that are
affected by high tides and low tides and mixes with the swamp water, for
example on the east coast of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Rice cultivated or
planted is a type of banarawa rice.
 § Sawah gogo rancah (gora), the business is usually made of bunds, fences,
and terraces. Likewise the direction of piracy around the mountain or not
decreases the slope to avoid erosion. The plants that are planted are rice,
maiz, or pulses.

3. Field (Huma)
Agriculture with a field system (huma) is agriculture in dry land, as well as moor
and gardens (yards). Field (huma) is an agricultural system by opening forests. The
way is, the forest is cut down and then burned and cleaned. Only in the rainy
season is it planted. After 3-4 times of harvest and reduced fertility, the field is
abandoned and usually overgrown with grass and grass.

Farmers are looking for more forest to cut. The field system can cause
environmental damage, for example many forests are damaged, water absorption is
reduced, soil is deforested, fertility is reduced, eventually causing flooding. Plants
planted in fields (huma), namely upland rice, corn, and nuts.

4. Moving fields
It is agricultural activities with moving land, which is usually done on a lot of land
resulting from the opening of shrubs after several times of planting and also
harvesting will move the land again. If the land is no longer fertile, it will move the
land again looking for other fertile land.

5. Hydroponic Agriculture
Hydroponic agriculture is a farming activity that uses water without using soil.
This method is done because it aims to emphasize the nutritional needs for plants.
In addition, the water needs for this type of farming activities are also less than
other types of farming activities. This type of activity is very suitable to be applied
for areas that have limited water supply.

6. Modern Agriculture
Modern agriculture is a type of farming activity that is currently often applied in
various walks of life in Indonesia. In addition to being efficient, this type of
activity is also very easy to do compared to other farming activities.

The use of various modern tools, and also the use of various kinds of chemicals in
their application become prominent features in this farming activity. But there are
some disadvantages of this type. In addition to endangering consumers, the use of
chemicals can also damage existing natural ecosystems.

7. Plantation
Simply put, gardening can be carried out in the yard of the house. This is done to
utilize vacant land and increase income. In the countryside, garden farms are
generally quite extensive. Land is planted with commercial crops, both for export
commodities and for sale domestically, for example rubber and chocolate.

To enhance the welfare of these commercial crop farmers, the government has
carried out various efforts, among others through community nucleus plantations
(PIR). PIR is embodied in a program of agricultural land expansion by integrating
small-scale agricultural businesses..

8. Horticulture
Horticulture is part of dryland agriculture. The types of plants that are usually
sought include vegetables, fruits, or flowers. Several objectives of activities to
increase agricultural yields, reduce the risk of crop failure, maintain soil fertility.
Horticultural plants are much sought after by residents who live in highland areas
because the air temperature is relatively cool, which is at an altitude of 500-1,500
meters above sea level. Regional distribution of horticultural agriculture in
Indonesia, including Lembang, Pangalengan, Puncak (West Java), Wonosobo,
around Dieng (Central Java), Malang (East Java), and Tanah Karo (North
Sumatra).

9. Dry Fields
Dry field or usually called Tegalan in Bahasa Indonesia is a continuation of the
farming system, this happens if the forest that might be opened for agricultural
business is no longer possible. Moor farming land is already settled. Cropping
patterns are usually mixed or intercropped between rice fields and pulses (maize,
beans, cassava, etc.).
In dry fields, it is usually only cultivated in the rainy season, while in the dry
season there is no (left) plant. On tegal land, efforts to preserve productivity
already exist by means of fertilization, although it is limited when planted alone,
while conservation then goes naturally, or allowed to grow wild plants, which are
subsequently cleared when replanted with economic crops. This land productivity
is generally low and unstable because the state of the topography is not flat and is
not limited by dike or erosion resistant swales.

10. Seagrass Vegetation

Shallow marine ecosystems in warm waters with sand bottom and dominated by
seagrass plants, a group of plants belonging to Alismatales who adapt to saltwater.
Seagrass beds can only form in shallow sea waters (less than three meters) but the
bottom is never open from the water (always inundated).

Sometimes, seagrass vegetation is found after mangrove vegetation and its function
can act as a filter of mud / soil that is washed away with water to the beach after
being able to escape retained by the roots of mangrove vegetation. Seagrass beds
can also be seen as ecosystems between mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs. In
Komodo National Park, seagrass is the main source of dugan’s feed.

Those are the types of agriculture in Indonesia. In this term, this country plans to
make a significant growth in the production of agriculture. It is possible that
Indonesia would be the center of economical of the world.

What are the Different types of Irrigation methods that can be used by Indonesian
farmers to improve their Crop Production?

I would recommend the Indonesian Farmers to use the Modern Methods of

Irrigations which include the Sprinkler System and the Drip System.

Sprinkler System
A sprinkler system, as its name suggests, sprinkles water over the crop and helps in
an even distribution of water.
Here a pump is connected to pipes which generate pressure and water is sprinkled
through nozzles of pipes.
Drip System
In the drip system, water supply is done drop by drop exactly at roots using a hose
or pipe.

I would recommend these methods of Irrigation as the benefits of these methods

are that:

Sprinkler Irrigation:

• It is suitable for watering all types of soil except heavy clay.

• It is useful in areas where crop population per unit is high.
• It reduces soil compaction.

Drip Irrigation:

• It helps in the conservation of water and reduces the cost of fertilisation

• Since water is provided uniformly, crop growth is also consistent.