Analysis of Factors Affecting Conversion

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 147 views

Introduction

The conversion of agricultural land is a phenomenon that often occurs in various regions, including in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. In this study, the focus was on changes in land use from orange farming to coffee farming in Tigapancur Village, Simpang Empat District. This study aims to analyze the pace of land conversion and identify the factors that influence the decisions of farmers in conducting the conversion.

Background

Agricultural land conversion is a complex issue that involves various factors, including economic, social, and environmental aspects. In Karo Regency, the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming is a significant phenomenon that has been observed in recent years. The conversion of agricultural land can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment, economy, and society. On the one hand, it can lead to the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and water pollution. On the other hand, it can also lead to the creation of new job opportunities, increased income for farmers, and improved food security.

Methodology

This study was conducted with a purposive sampling approach, where location selection was carried out intentionally based on certain considerations. Through the simple sampling method of Sampling Sampling, as many as 80 respondents were chosen to provide information related to their farming. The data obtained include primary data collected through direct interviews and secondary data obtained from other relevant sources. For data analysis, researchers use a descriptive analysis method and multiple linear regression.

Results

The results showed that from 2014 to 2019, the percentage of the decline in the area of citrus land in Tigapancur Village reached 39.64% per year. Meanwhile, the rate of percentage increase in the area of coffee land in the same period was recorded at 6.49% per year. This finding shows a significant shift in the use of agricultural land in the village.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Conversion

In this study, the authors also identified several factors that influence land conversion. The results of the analysis showed that several variables such as farmer land area, the number of dependents, productivity, orange prices, and farming costs had a significant effect on conversion decisions. However, the age factor of farmers and education levels do not contribute significantly in this process.

The importance of these factors can be explained as follows:

Farmers' land area: Farmers who have larger land area tend to have more choices in determining the type of plant to be cultivated. This gives them flexibility in switching from orange to coffee.
Number of dependents: Farmers with a more dependents that are more likely to look for alternative plants that are more profitable, such as coffee, to increase their income.
Productivity and price of oranges: If orange productivity is low or the price decreases, farmers tend to switch to coffee that might offer better profit potential.
Farming costs: Farmers who have high farming costs tend to switch to coffee that has lower production costs.

Conclusion

Conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming in Tigapancur Village, Simpang Empat District shows complex dynamics. Economic factors such as prices, costs, and land area greatly affect conversion decisions, while demographic factors such as age and education are less significant. This study provides valuable insights for the development of agricultural policies that can improve the welfare of farmers in Karo Regency. With a better understanding of the factors that influence land conversion, stakeholders can design programs that support sustainable and beneficial transitions for farmers.

Recommendations

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

Agricultural policies: The government should develop agricultural policies that support the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming. This can include providing incentives for farmers to switch to coffee, such as subsidies, training, and marketing support.
Sustainable agriculture: The government should promote sustainable agriculture practices that minimize the negative impacts of land conversion on the environment. This can include the use of organic farming methods, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry.
Education and training: The government should provide education and training programs for farmers on sustainable agriculture practices, coffee production, and marketing.
Research and development: The government should conduct further research on the factors that influence land conversion and the impacts of coffee farming on the environment and society.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, the study was conducted in a single village, which may not be representative of the entire region. Secondly, the study only focused on the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming, and did not consider other types of land conversion. Finally, the study only used a descriptive analysis method, which may not capture the underlying dynamics of land conversion.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a foundation for further research on land conversion and sustainable agriculture. Future research should focus on the following areas:

Land conversion dynamics: Further research should be conducted to understand the underlying dynamics of land conversion, including the factors that influence conversion decisions and the impacts of land conversion on the environment and society.
Sustainable agriculture practices: Research should be conducted to identify the most effective sustainable agriculture practices for coffee production, including the use of organic farming methods, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry.
Agricultural policies: Research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural policies in supporting the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming.
Education and training: Research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of education and training programs for farmers on sustainable agriculture practices, coffee production, and marketing.
Q&A: Analysis of Orange Farming Land Conversion into Coffee Farming in Karo Regency =====================================================================================

Q: What is the main focus of this study?

A: The main focus of this study is to analyze the pace of land conversion from orange farming to coffee farming in Tigapancur Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study are:

The percentage of the decline in the area of citrus land in Tigapancur Village reached 39.64% per year from 2014 to 2019.
The rate of percentage increase in the area of coffee land in the same period was recorded at 6.49% per year.
Several variables such as farmer land area, the number of dependents, productivity, orange prices, and farming costs had a significant effect on conversion decisions.

Q: What are the factors that influence land conversion?

A: The factors that influence land conversion are:

Farmer land area: Farmers who have larger land area tend to have more choices in determining the type of plant to be cultivated.
Number of dependents: Farmers with a more dependents that are more likely to look for alternative plants that are more profitable, such as coffee, to increase their income.
Productivity and price of oranges: If orange productivity is low or the price decreases, farmers tend to switch to coffee that might offer better profit potential.
Farming costs: Farmers who have high farming costs tend to switch to coffee that has lower production costs.

Q: What are the implications of this study for agricultural policies?

A: The implications of this study for agricultural policies are:

The government should develop agricultural policies that support the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming.
The government should provide incentives for farmers to switch to coffee, such as subsidies, training, and marketing support.
The government should promote sustainable agriculture practices that minimize the negative impacts of land conversion on the environment.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are:

The study was conducted in a single village, which may not be representative of the entire region.
The study only focused on the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming, and did not consider other types of land conversion.
The study only used a descriptive analysis method, which may not capture the underlying dynamics of land conversion.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: The future research directions for this study are:

Land conversion dynamics: Further research should be conducted to understand the underlying dynamics of land conversion, including the factors that influence conversion decisions and the impacts of land conversion on the environment and society.
Sustainable agriculture practices: Research should be conducted to identify the most effective sustainable agriculture practices for coffee production, including the use of organic farming methods, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry.
Agricultural policies: Research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural policies in supporting the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming.
Education and training: Research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of education and training programs for farmers on sustainable agriculture practices, coffee production, and marketing.

Q: What are the practical implications of this study for farmers and policymakers?

A: The practical implications of this study for farmers and policymakers are:

Farmers should consider the factors that influence land conversion, such as farmer land area, the number of dependents, productivity, orange prices, and farming costs, when making decisions about land use.
Policymakers should develop agricultural policies that support the conversion of orange farming land into coffee farming, and provide incentives for farmers to switch to coffee.
Policymakers should promote sustainable agriculture practices that minimize the negative impacts of land conversion on the environment.