Articles

Organic Fertilizer and Technical Efficiency in Melon Cultivation in Wonogiri, Central Java

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Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a potential seasonal fruit crop. In melon cultivation, farmers combine various inputs. Combined inputs such as land, seeds, organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, labor.  Organic fertilizer is now a promising method for sustainable agriculture where it is most affordable compared to synthetic fertilizers.  The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the technical efficiency (ET) of melon farming, (2) to determine the effect of manure on melon production. (3) To determine the effect of age, formal education and farmer experience on the use of manure. Giriwoyo sub-district was chosen as the research location because it has the largest area of harvested land and the highest amount of melon farming production in Wonogiri Regency. Selection of farmer samples using accidental sampling technique. The number of respondents was 60 farmers.  The conclusion from the results of the study that (1) the average technical efficiency of melon farmers is 96.7% classified as high criteria, (2) manure has a positive effect on melon production, thus the use of manure can increase melon production which will further increase technical efficiency. (3) Age, education and experience have a positive effect on the use of manure. The suggestions given are (1) to increase technical efficiency can be done by adding manure and (2) increasing the use of manure can be done by increasing age, education and experience. Increasing age as a proxy for information, namely by adding information, increasing knowledge with training and increasing experience can be improved by apprenticeship activities with other parties. Experience is a key factor to increase the use of manure.

Solar Energy Meteorology in Agriculture – an X-ray of Solar Irradiance

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This study describes the role of solar energy meteorology in agriculture. The objectives of the study are to be familiar with solar meteorological parameters, evaluate the effects of solar meteorology on agricultural productivity and determine the solar irradiance of the Ado-Ekiti. The study was carried out using secondary data sourced for book, internet and from the Atmosphere 41 All-in-One automatic weather station of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-environmental Engineering of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Global solar radiation measured between 1995 and 2005 by Estonian Meteorological and Hydrological Institute was summarized. Also, sums and average solar irradiance in Ado-Ekiti as measured in the automatic weather station of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti were determined and 1057 KW/m2 and 7.367 KW/m2 values were obtained for the month of August, 2020, respectively. The study concludes that these solar irradiance values are critical in the design of solar PV systems for crop drying, irrigation system and electrification of farms towards enhancing agricultural productivity in Ado-Ekiti. The study therefore recommends that the solar irradiance should be measured for a longer period of time.