The Decline of Orange Land and the Rise of Coffee Land

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 96 views

Introduction

The conversion of land from orange agriculture to coffee is a significant phenomenon in Karo Regency, particularly in Suka Village, Tigapanah District. This study aims to analyze the various factors that influence farmers' decisions in conducting this conversion. The study employed the Purvosive method (intentional) to determine the location and used Snowball Sampling techniques, producing 71 samples of farmers. The data collected includes primary and secondary information, and analyzed using the logistics regression method.

The Decline of Orange Land and the Rise of Coffee Land

The data obtained showed a significant decrease in orange land area by 82.14% and a decrease in production by 73.69% in the period 2010 to 2017. Meanwhile, during the same period, the area of coffee land increased by 47.14% and its production increased by 50.18%. This shows a shift in the preferences of farmers who prefer to switch to coffee plants, which are considered more profitable. The decline of orange land and the rise of coffee land can be attributed to various factors, including the increasing demand for coffee, the decreasing productivity of orange plants, and the rising costs of fertilizers and pesticides.

Internal Factors Affecting Conversion

Several internal factors have a significant effect on the conversion of orange land. These factors include:

Education Level

Farmers with a higher level of education tend to be more open to new agricultural techniques and market information, thus affecting their decision to switch to coffee plants. Education plays a crucial role in enabling farmers to access and understand new information, which can lead to better decision-making. Farmers with higher education levels are more likely to adopt new technologies and practices, such as integrated pest management and precision agriculture, which can improve crop yields and reduce costs.

Experience Farming

Farmers who have deeper experience, especially in managing coffee plants, will be more confident to conduct land conversion. Experience is a critical factor in determining a farmer's ability to adapt to new crops and technologies. Farmers with experience in managing coffee plants are more likely to have a better understanding of the crop's requirements, such as soil type, climate, and pest management. This experience can also enable farmers to identify potential problems and develop strategies to mitigate them.

Number of Dependents

Farmers who have more dependents tend to look for better sources of income, thus encouraging them to switch from oranges to coffee that is considered more profitable. The number of dependents can have a significant impact on a farmer's decision to switch to a new crop. Farmers with more dependents may be more motivated to seek better income opportunities to support their families. This can lead to a shift towards more profitable crops, such as coffee, which can provide a higher return on investment.

External Factors Affecting Conversion

In addition to internal factors, there are also external factors that affect land conversion. These factors include:

Productivity of Citrus Plants

Low orange productivity is one of the reasons why farmers turn to coffee plants. The productivity of citrus plants can have a significant impact on a farmer's decision to switch to a new crop. Farmers who experience low productivity may be more likely to switch to a crop that is more profitable, such as coffee. This can be due to various factors, including soil degradation, climate change, and pests and diseases.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Prices

Increase in fertilizer and pesticide prices used to plant oranges can be an additional burden, so farmers prefer to grow coffee that may require lower or more effective costs. The prices of fertilizers and pesticides can have a significant impact on a farmer's decision to switch to a new crop. Farmers who experience high prices may be more likely to switch to a crop that requires lower or more effective costs, such as coffee.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of land conversion from oranges to coffee in Suka Village, Tigapanah District, Karo Regency, is driven by various internal and external factors that are interrelated. Farmers who are highly educated, experienced, and have many dependents tend to prefer to switch to coffee plants, especially in situations where orange productivity decreases and production costs are increasing. This study provides valuable insights for policy makers in formulating strategies to support agricultural sustainability in the area, as well as assisting farmers in making better decisions in their agriculture.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Education and Training: Provide education and training programs for farmers to improve their knowledge and skills in managing coffee plants.
Extension Services: Provide extension services to farmers to help them access new technologies and practices, such as integrated pest management and precision agriculture.
Market Information: Provide market information to farmers to help them make informed decisions about their crops.
Support for Small-Scale Farmers: Provide support for small-scale farmers, including access to credit, markets, and technology.
Policy Reforms: Reform policies to support agricultural sustainability, including the development of sustainable agriculture practices and the promotion of coffee as a more profitable crop.

By implementing these recommendations, policy makers and stakeholders can support farmers in making better decisions in their agriculture and promote agricultural sustainability in the area.

Introduction

The conversion of land from orange agriculture to coffee is a significant phenomenon in Karo Regency, particularly in Suka Village, Tigapanah District. This study aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this phenomenon. The FAQs are based on the findings of the study and are intended to provide a better understanding of the factors that influence the conversion of orange land into coffee land.

Q&A

Q1: What are the main factors that influence the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A1: The main factors that influence the conversion of orange land into coffee land include education level, experience farming, number of dependents, productivity of citrus plants, and fertilizer and pesticide prices.

Q2: Why do farmers prefer to switch to coffee plants?

A2: Farmers prefer to switch to coffee plants because they are considered more profitable. Coffee plants require lower or more effective costs, and they can provide a higher return on investment.

Q3: What is the impact of education level on the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A3: Education level has a significant impact on the conversion of orange land into coffee land. Farmers with a higher level of education tend to be more open to new agricultural techniques and market information, thus affecting their decision to switch to coffee plants.

Q4: What is the role of experience farming in the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A4: Experience farming plays a crucial role in the conversion of orange land into coffee land. Farmers who have deeper experience, especially in managing coffee plants, will be more confident to conduct land conversion.

Q5: How does the number of dependents affect the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A5: The number of dependents can have a significant impact on a farmer's decision to switch to a new crop. Farmers with more dependents may be more motivated to seek better income opportunities to support their families.

Q6: What is the impact of fertilizer and pesticide prices on the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A6: The prices of fertilizers and pesticides can have a significant impact on a farmer's decision to switch to a new crop. Farmers who experience high prices may be more likely to switch to a crop that requires lower or more effective costs, such as coffee.

Q7: What are the implications of the conversion of orange land into coffee land for agricultural sustainability?

A7: The conversion of orange land into coffee land can have both positive and negative implications for agricultural sustainability. On the one hand, coffee plants can provide a higher return on investment and require lower or more effective costs. On the other hand, the conversion of land can lead to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity.

Q8: What are the policy implications of the conversion of orange land into coffee land?

A8: The policy implications of the conversion of orange land into coffee land include the need for policy reforms to support agricultural sustainability, including the development of sustainable agriculture practices and the promotion of coffee as a more profitable crop.

Q9: How can farmers make better decisions in their agriculture?

A9: Farmers can make better decisions in their agriculture by accessing education and training programs, extension services, market information, and support for small-scale farmers.

Q10: What are the recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders?

A10: The recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders include providing education and training programs for farmers, providing extension services, providing market information, supporting small-scale farmers, and reforming policies to support agricultural sustainability.

Conclusion

The conversion of orange land into coffee land in Karo Regency is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by various internal and external factors. This study provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this phenomenon and highlights the need for policy reforms to support agricultural sustainability. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this study, policy makers and stakeholders can support farmers in making better decisions in their agriculture and promote agricultural sustainability in the area.