Management and application of specific location food crop technologies based on ecoregional dry land in central Sulawesi (A Review)

Abstract

Abstract To achieve food self-sufficiency and food independence, government has been implementing some programs. Those programs generally face two basic problems, namely: 1. A high conversion of paddy fields in to industries and housing area which are in line with the growth of population. 2. Global climate change which causes more frequently of drought and floods in both dry and lowland farming. Dry land is very extensive in Central Sulawesi which can be used as a new source of food production to reach food self sufficiency, while it has not been optimally utilized yet. Thus, Central Sulawesi Province has potency to become a food buffer region in Indonesia by optimizing the utilization of dry land along with the application of specific location technologies. Some technologies which could be simultaneously applied in dry land are high-yield varieties selection, improving cropping patterns, rotation of varieties, modification of cropping systems, and specific location fertilization. This article will discuss or review the results of research that have been carried out in dryland management, the use of adaptive superior varieties, and planting patterns that can significantly increase land productivity and farmer income. So comprehensive planning is needed to improve and optimize the use of dry land. To speed up technology in certain locations, a collaboration between local governments, especially extension services, research institutions and universities is needed to encourage the production and productivity of food crops in dry lands.