Evaluasi Komoditas Padi, Merica, Minyak Nilam Kawasan Transmigrasi Mahalona, Kabupaten Luwu Timur, Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract

The Mahalona Transmigration Area in East Luwu Regency is a developing agribusiness center with rice, pepper, and patchouli oil as its leading commodities. This study aims to analyze agricultural land capacity and rice productivity as the main food commodity, while also providing an overview of the potential for developing other plantation commodities. Data was obtained from five villages in the Mahalona area, covering land area, standard rice field area, production land, and rice productivity. The total area reached 409.41 km² with 2,378 ha of rice fields and 2,211 ha of active production land. Rice productivity ranged from 4.3 to 5.5 tons/ha, resulting in an estimated total production of ±10,419 tons per season. Tole Village has the highest production (4,086.5 tons), followed by Libukan Mandiri (2,275 tons), Buangin (2,061 tons), Kalosi (1,249.6 tons), and Mahalona (1,165.3 tons). In addition to rice, the Mahalona Region also produces pepper, with a total potential area of ±2,179.94 ha and 836.84 ha of active production land. The average productivity is 1.6 kg per plant. The village with the largest pepper potential is Mahalona (1,200 ha), followed by Kalosi (282.05 ha) and Tole (275.94 ha). Pepper can be a leading export commodity that supports the diversification of farmers' income. The Mahalona transmigration area has several dry areas outside the rice fields that can be optimized as places for cultivation and production of patchouli oil. The study confirms that the Mahalona area has strong potential as an integrated agribusiness center. However, improvements are needed in soil pH, fertilization training, integration of agriculture and livestock, cultivation technology, strengthening of farmer institutions, and post-harvest development and downstream processing of plantation commodities.