Study of Land Potential and Suitability for Development Estate Crops on Buru Island, Moluccas Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Moluccas widely recognized by the world community as a centre of high genetic diversity, including commodities producer of high economic value, such as estate crops. Although Moluccas has substantial resources, but has not been able to provide adequat e welfare for society because natural resources are available not optimally managed. Therefore, it is necessary to study the potential of land for the development of the estste crops. This research aims to determine the land potential and his referrals use for the development of estate crops on Buru Island (Buru and Southern Buru Regency). The methodology used was a desk study of some libraries and field observation. Land potential of Buru Island for developing a estate crops based on data analysis and use of existing biophysical taking into account the status of the forest is an area of 86,140 ha covering an area of moderate to high potential area of 58,650 ha, and low potential areas covering an area of 27,490 ha with limiting factor drainage, rooting conditions, nutrient retention, slope, rooting conditions, floods, water availability, and slope. Wherever according by Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) approach from AIAT Moluccas with using AEZ analysis data, present land use, and statistical data for 8 years (2009 – 2016) is an area of 34,923.36 ha with covering sub zone II ax 15,952.78 ha, sub zone II ax.i 8,924.26, sub zone II ay 5,887.99 ha, and sub zone II ay.i 4,158.33 ha.