Transition from Lowland Rice-Based Lowland Rice-Based to Temperate Vegetable-Based Cropping Systems Between 800 and 1800 m Elevation in West Java, Indonesia

摘要

Transect and household surveys of frequencies of plantings of vegetable crops in fields at altitudes from 800 to 1,800 m, frequencies of reasons for crop selection and cropping patterns, and frequencies of constraints to production and marketing of each crop were conducted in two temperate vegetable producing regions in West Java in 2001-2002. Horizontal transects of 120 m length were placed perpendicular to a vertical transect at intervals of 200 m (Garut) or 100 m (Bandung) elevation from 800 m to1800 m and cropping patterns recorded based on distance. Respondents for the household survey were selected based on criteria defined by farmers in a farmers' meeting held after the transect survey. Cropping patterns over 1999-2001, reasons for plantingeach crop in each field in each pattern, and constraints for each crop were obtained by surveys'of three farmer respondents each per elevation level. Overall, in Garut, the most important vegetables were cabbage, carrot, onion, cauliflower, and white potato. In Bandung, celery was most important, followed by onion, cole crops, and white potato. Over three years, 1999-2001, the transition from rice to vegetables occurred between 1100 m and 1200 m in both sites. Below 1000 m, rice was more predominant atBandung (90% over all three years) than at Garut (49%). In both sites, cole crops spanned a wide range from 800 to 1800 m. Tomato plantings spanned a range from 800 m to 1400 m at Garut, while white potato plantings spanned a range from 1200 to 1800 m inBandung. In Bandung, celery was concentrated at elevations of 1300-1500 m. Paddy was selected primarily due to experience with the crop and economics, especially lack of capital. Experience, rotation, and environmental factors predominated as reasons for selection of cole crops and white potato in both sites. In Garut, markets and income were the most important group of reasons for tomato and other fruiting crops. In Bandung, reasons for planting celery, Welsh onion, and other vegetables were fragmented. All reasons for strawberry selection were economic (markets, yield, other economic). Environment and rotation were more important selection factors at the highest altitudes (>1400 m in Garut, >1300 in Bandung). Costs and capital were more important atlower levels (800 m in Garut, 800-1000 m in Bandung). The percentage of total transect length in sole cropping and sole cropping with border crops was 3-4 times the percentage of length in intercropping and trellis culture. In both sites, intercroppingpredominated in the transition zone at an altitude of 1200 m. Border intercropping and in-row intercropping comprised over half of the intercropped plantings in Garut, while trellis culture was the most important type of intercropping in Bandung. Horticultural (absence of light competition, compatibility) and economic (efficiency and income) reasons were both important factors in choosing intercropping in Garut, while economic reasons predominated in Bandung. In both sites, absence of a specific reasonfor intercropping was low (6-14%). Income was the most important reason for sole cropping in Bandung, while in Garut, no reason was given for sole cropping in nearly one third of the responses. Plant protection comprised 60-83% of farmer production constraint responses, with insects and diseases equally important. The most important pest problems were leaf miners, thrips, club root (Plasmodiophora brassicae), and Phytophthora late blight. Marketing constraints were more severe in Garut than in Bandung.In Garut, price problems made up nearly 40% of the marketing constraints responses, while in 16% of the responses, there were no marketing problems due to favorable prices. Improved intercropping geometry permitting better light use at all plant height levels, intercropping designed to favor natural enemies and associational resistance for insect pest management, rotational improvement for disease control, and market channel research are suggested as