Cereals–soybean intercropping is not well studied, despite the importance of these crops in increasing agricultural profitability and ensuring nutritional and food security in Southeast Asia. We compared different intercropping practices (IPs) with monocropping practices (MPs) for their yield and economic performance by small-scale farms without mechanization. The treatments were IPs of rice–maize, rice–soybean, or maize–soybean compared with MPs of rice, maize, or soybean as sole crops, across three provinces in the rainfed areas of western Indonesia with a wet climate. Our results show that the yield advantages using the land equivalent ratio of the IPs were 44% for rice–maize, 54% for rice–soybean, and 63% for maize–soybean compared to MPs. Rice equivalent yield, maize equivalent yield, and the gross margin under IPs were significantly higher per cycle than under MPs; IPs provided a substantially lower cost of production and of paid workers. Compared to just rice, there were additional net return gains of USD 160 and USD 203 ha−1 per cycle under rice–maize and rice–soybean intercropping. Maize–soybean intercropping resulted in an additional net return gain of USD 153 ha−1 compared to just maize. These results suggest there is considerable potential for small farmers to increase their yields and profits by intercropping in rainfed areas with a wet climate.

One of the things that are important to consider when fertilizing is how to place the fertilizer so that plants can consume nutrients efficiently. The research objective was to assess the precision of soil conservation based on fertilizer placement so that fertilizers could increase the production of taro effectively. This study applied four treatments, namely without fertilizer, placing manure in the planting hole, placing manure in the biopore, and placing manure on the borders. The three treatments were given 1 kg of goat manure. The treatment was performed with six replications. Harvesting is carried out in 8 months after planting. The results showed that the placement of manure on the borders was the most effective treatment with the highest yield of wet tubers of 21.4 Mg/ha and was not different from the treatment of manure in biopore 18.3 Mg/ha.This yield was different significantly as compared to that of resulted from treatments where fertilizer was placed in the planting hole (15.9 Mg/ha) or the production of taro without manure application (11.57 Mg/ha). Keywords: Organic fertilizers, production, soil conservation, taro

Mangosteen fruit is a leading commodity from Barengkok Village, Leuwiliang sub-district, Bogor, as well as a commodity capable of penetrating exports. The environmental problem that arises during the harvest season and from fruit that does not pass export is the waste of its skin, so it is necessary to make use of it so that it has economic value for the community. This study examines a community partnership model through community empowerment in the use of mangosteen peel waste as a substitute for functional food. This study is based on the Women Farmers Group with a descriptive qualitative approach, demonstrations and training on the development of functional food processed products and assistance. The results of the study show that people's understanding and insights have increased from 50% who don't know to 100% of participants who know and understand how to use mangosteen peel into food processing, partners are able to independently produce processed products based on mangosteen peel flour with a turnover of 16 jars per month. Technological innovation in processing mangosteen peel into food, motivates people to become new entrepreneurs, because the product is unique and healthy and has a selling value. This partnership program provides solutions to address the environment and create additional income for the community.

Talas Bogor (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) merupakan salah satu ikon Kota Bogor.  Hal yang kurang disukai dari talas bogor adalah adanya kristal kalsium oksalat yang menyebabkan rasa gatal pada kulit, mukosa mulut, dan kerongkongan. Salah satu cara untuk menghilangkan rasa gatal pada talas adalah dengan merendam talas selama satu malam di dalam air, namun, metode perendaman yang paling efektif dan pengaruhnya terhadap karakteristik tepung talas belum diketahui. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap faktorial (RAL-F) dengan dua faktor, yaitu faktor klon dan perendaman. Klon talas bogor yang digunakan klon B-1511 dan B-1023, dipanen pada umur 9 bulan, dikupas, dirajang dan diberi perlakuan perendaman. Perendaman yang dicobakan: kontrol atau tanpa perendaman (K), perendaman dalam air A), dan dalam 5% larutan garam G). Setelah direndam, ditiriskan dan dikeringkan dengan drying oven pada suhu 55o C. Chip yang sudah kering diolah menjadi tepung untuk kemudian dinilai karakteristiknya. Variabel yang diamati adalah rendemen, kadar air, densitas kamba, amilosa, amilopektin, kadar pati, dan kadar kalsium oksalat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat interaksi yang nyata antara klon dan perlakuan perendaman terhadap kadar amilosa, kadar amilopektin dan kadar pati. Perlakuan perendaman dalam larutan garam 5% selama 30 menit dapat menurunkan kadar kalsium oksalat pada tepung talas baik klon B-1511 maupun B-1023.  Rata-rata rendemen tepung pada klon B-1511 26,53% sedangkan untuk klon B-1023 26,40%.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is an evergreen tree indigenous to Banda Island of Indonesia. In 2018 nutmeg production in Indonesia was 36,242 tons from 202,325 ha land, whereas the biggest production from the center production i.e. North Maluku Province. The aim of the study was to determine the performance of nutmeg postharvest and marketing at the farmer level in East Halmahera Regency. Data were obtained from thirty farmers as respondents with a purposive sampling method using questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Observation components were included the weight of nutmeg, fruit flesh, wet nutmeg, dry nutmeg, wet mace, and dry mace. The results showed that harvesting in this area was carried out 2-3 times a year. The harvest period is January-August, March-September and April-December with the average production in each harvest time was 1-4 kg per tree. Nutmeg was harvested using a pole and all fall nutmeg were collected. About 70% of farmers processed the nutmeg directly after harvesting. The main postharvest procession was separating and drying the nutmeg. The nutmeg was separated into three parts, i.e., the nutmeg pulp, seed, and mace. The drying procession was carried out by 60% of farmers that were different for each part, the nutmeg seed need 5-6 days and the mace need 1 day under sunshine. The range of nutmeg fruit components was varied with nutmeg pulp of 85.64-88.69%, fresh seeds of 9.45-12.04%, dry seeds of 6.45-8.28%, fresh mace of 1.40-2.51% and dry mace of 0.66-1.46%. Nutmeg seeds are sorted and graded by separating whole, wrinkled and crushed seeds. Marketing channels consist of village collectors, traders at Maba city and traders from outside the district, generally from Ternate. All harvested products were sent to Ternate in the form of seeds and mace.