This research was conducted to determine the financial feasibility of growing soybean varieties and their competitiveness in the rice-based cropping system of Indonesia. The research was conducted at two locations in 2020. The results showed that the use of improved varieties of soybean yielded 2.24 t/ha and 2.09 t/ha, which was higher than using local (non-improved) varieties. The use of improved varieties was financially feasible with Revenue Cost (R/C) ratios of 1.88–1.98 and Benefit Cost (B/C) ratios of 0.88–0.98. The competitiveness of soybeans in Mojokerto and Pasuruan was lower compared to maize and mungbean. Soybean could compete with competing crops if the productivity and price were higher than the current conditions. To be able to compete with maize, the soybean productivity should be 5.14–5.22 t/ha if the current soybean price per kg is IDR 7200 (about US $ 0.51). To compete with mungbean, the soybean productivity should reach 3.05 t/ha with the current price per kg of IDR 7200 (about US $ 0.51). When measured by the price level, to be able to compete with maize, the soybean selling price per kg should be IDR 14,428–IDR 14,893 (about USD 1.06) with a productivity level of 2.24 t/ha.

The main constraints of the tidal swamp lands in Indonesia for soybean growth are low soil pH, high Al saturation, and low nutrient availability of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. The objectives of this research were to determine tolerance of several soybean varieties to Al saturation level, and to obtain a technological package for soybean cultivation which was suitable for farmers to adopt on tidal swamp lands. The research consisted of two stages of study. The first stage formulated of technology package, and the second stage evaluated feasibility of the technology package which was formulation from the first stage. The first stage  studied  the effect of  dolomite application (20% - 30% of soil Al saturation) on four soybean varieties (Anjasmoro, Panderman, Dega 1, and Demas). The second stage studied the effect of three technological packages: existing technology; water- saturated soybean cultivation (WSC); and alternative technology which was formulated from the results of the first study. In the 30% of soil Al saturation condition, the alternative technology package (application of 50 kg urea + 75 kg SP36 + 50 kg KCl + 1500 kg organic fertilizers/ha + rhizobium biofertilizer “Agriosy” 0.25 kg/50 g seeds/ha)  gave soybean yield of 1.78 - 2.72 t/ha for all of soybean varieties tested. The alternative technology package with Anjasmoro variety provided higher seed yields (2.62 t/ha) compared to the existing technology (2.07 t/ha) and WSC technology package (2.44 t/ha). The alternative technology package gave a profit of 11,595,000 IRD/ha with B/C values of 1.71 which was higer than the existing and WSC technology packages. The alternative technology package was more profitable than the existing technology (current farmer practice) and water-saturated soybean cultivation technology packages.

<p>Potensi pertanian lahan kering di Nusa Tenggara Timur cukup luas sekitar 1.528.308 ha dan di daerah ini cocok untuk dikembangkan kacang tanah. Tanaman kacang tanah masih dibudidayakan secara subsisten sehingga perlu diidentifikasi faktor-faktor penghambat dan pendukung dalam upaya pengembangannya. Penelitian dilakukan di Kabupaten Sumba Timur pada musim tanam 2015 dengan cara ‘Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)’. Metode analisis data yaitu analisis SWOT, tabulasi dan tingkat daya saing. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor kesesuaian lahan untuk kacang tanah total nilai bobot (TNB=2,0) dan biomassa kacang tanah termanfaatkan untuk pakan (TNB=1,1) menjadi faktor penguat internal pengembangan kacang tanah di NTT. Sedang penguat eksternalnya adalah pasar kacang tanah sudah terbentuk (TNB=2,3) dan permintaan kacang tanah tinggi (1,6). Meskipun ada penghambat seperti faktor benih kacang tanah bermutu rendah (TNB=1,2) dan ada ancaman seperti faktor kekeringan (TNB=1,2), tetapi pengaruhnya lebih kecil dibanding penguat dan potensi sumberdaya yang dimiliki. Strategi pengembangan yang digunakan adalah (1) pengelolaan usahatani yang saat ini harus dilakukan lebih intensif dengan penggunaan VUB kacang tanah dan teknologi tanam, (2) peningkatan skala usaha dengan memanfaatkan lahan-lahan kosong dan peningkatan indeks pertanaman (IP). Komoditas kacang tanah dapat berkompetisi dengan jagung dan sorgum dan peningkatan daya saingnya mudah dilakukan dengan penggunaan VUB kacang tanah yang telah tersedia sesuai dengan agroekologi dan preferensi petani di NTT. Nilai ekonomi dalam pendapatan komoditas kacang tanah saat ini berkontribusi sebesar 30% terhadap pengeluaran keluarga dan berpeluang dapat ditingkatkan.</p>

Sweet potato has an important role in food security. In the future, the demand for sweet potatoes will become higher. However, there has not been any significant awareness of sweet potatoes’ importance; moreover, it is considered an inferior commodity. New improved varieties of sweet potato having high beta-carotene, namely Beta 1 and high anthocyanins, Antin 2 and Antin 3 are already available. Besides, Pating 2 has high starch and dry matter (> 30%) as well as high potential yield (30-40 t ha−1). Sweet potato condition is indicated by its market behaviour described by market elasticity and integration. Sweet potato demand is inelastic, and the price level is inversely proportional to demand quantity. The cross elasticity showed rice was the strongest substitute for sweet potato. The negative value of income elasticity meant the decrease of sweet potato consumption would follow the increase in income. Similarly, the integration of production centres inter-regional market has not been well ordered, distorting product distribution. Suggestions for the sweet potato market included exploiting its potential as a functional food by promoting and community education, diversifying the products, structuring the market for distributional purpose, creating market regulation, issuing price stabilization policy, and improving marketing infrastructures.

Kebakaran hutan yang terjadi pada saat musim kemarau terutama di Kota Pontianak yang memicu terjadinya titik panas (hotspot). Titik panas (hotspot) adalah sumber utama terbentuknya asap yang merupakan sumber pencemaran yang mengandung partikulat yang apabila terhirup dalam konsentrasi tinggi akan menganggu pernapasan. Penelitian ini di lakukan untuk melihat titik panas (hotspot) karena kebakaran hutan atau lahan di kota Pontianak menggunakan aplikasi Sistem Informasi Geografis (SIG) untuk menganalisis pergerakan perubahan titik panas (hostpot) dari tahun 2019 periode bulan Juli – September dan melakukan pemetaan. Metode analisis data menggunakan Peraturan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Republik Indonesia NO P.8/ ME NLHK/ SETJEN/ KUM.1 / 3/ 2018 Tentang Prosedur Tetap Pengecekan Lapangan Informasi Titik Panas Dan/Atau Informasi Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan selama periode sebaran titik panas (hotspot) pada bulan Juli total 136 titik, bulan Agustus total 1.738 titik, bulan September 5.165 titik dengan total jumlah titik panas (hotspot) sebanyak 7.039 titik. Pengaruh titik panas (hotspot) menunjukan dampak pada kesehatan masyarakat Kota Pontianak yang dimana data dari Dinas Kesehatan Kota Pontianak penderita pasien ISPA pada bulan Juli 2.700 orang, bulan Agustus 4.044 orang, bulan September 5.046 orang dengan total 11.790 pasien ISPA. Sedangkan data dari seluruh Puskesmas Kota Pontianak penderita pasien ISPA pada bulan Juli 4.542 orang, bulan Agustus 5.225 orang, bulan September 6.141 orang dengan total 15.908 pasien ISPA.