Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Program cetak sawah bertujuan meningkatkan luas lahan pertanian dan ketahanan pangan, namun keberhasilannya sangat dipengaruhi oleh kualitas lahan dan faktor pendukung lainnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi kualitas tanah serta menganalisis faktor sosial ekonomi petani yang mempengaruhi pemanfaatan lahan sawah cetak baru di Gampong Blang, Kecamatan Darussalam, Kabupaten Aceh Besar.
Penelitian dilakukan melalui survei lapangan dan analisis laboratorium terhadap sifat fisik tanah (bulk density, tekstur tanah, dan porositas), sifat kimia tanah (pH, kapasitas tukar kation, kejenuhan basa, nitrogen total, C-organik, fosfor tersedia, dan kalium tersedia), serta perhitungan Indeks Kualitas Tanah (IKT). Data sosial ekonomi petani dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner skala Likert.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara fisik tanah memiliki potensi sedang hingga baik, ditandai dengan tekstur Lempung liat berdebu (silty clay loam), porositas sebesar ±52,06%, dan bulk density sebesar ±1,33 g/cm³. Namun, sifat kimia tanah menunjukkan tingkat kesuburan yang rendah, dengan nilai kejenuhan basa sebesar 10,21%, nitrogen total sebesar 0,06%, dan C-organik sebesar 0,46%. Nilai Indeks Kualitas Tanah sebesar 33 menunjukkan bahwa kualitas tanah tergolong buruk dan belum mendukung budidaya padi secara optimal.
Hasil analisis sosial ekonomi menunjukkan bahwa kondisi lahan sawah cetak baru masih menghadapi kendala utama khususnya kualitas tanah dan ketersediaan air yang berada pada kondisi sangat rendah, sehingga lahan belum sepenuhnya siap untuk di gunakan secara optimal. Keterbatasan modal, sarana prasarana, serta dukungan dan pendampingan pemerintah yang masih rendah turut memperlambat pemanfaatan lahan secara maksimal. Meskipun demikian, petani memiliki pemahaman teknis yang sangat baik dalam pengolahan lahan, hubungan sosial antar petani tergolong kuat, serta harga gabah dinilai cukup berpengaruh dalam mendorong motivasi usaha tani.
Perbaikan yang direkomendasikan meliputi penambahan bahan organik seperti kompos atau pupuk kandang untuk meningkatkan C-organik dan kapasitas tukar kation tanah, pemberian kapur/dolomit untuk meningkatkan kejenuhan basa dan menekan kemasaman tanah, serta pemupukan berimbang sesuai rekomendasi hasil uji tanah. Selain itu, perbaikan sistem irigasi dan peningkatan akses modal melalui dukungan pemerintah juga diperlukan guna mengoptimalkan pemanfaatan lahan secara berkelanjutan.

The newly developed rice field expansion program aims to increase agricultural land availability and strengthen food security. However, its success is highly influenced by land quality and other supporting factors. This study aimed to evaluate soil quality and analyze the socio-economic factors of farmers affecting the utilization of newly established rice fields in Gampong Blang, Darussalam District, Aceh Besar Regency. The research was conducted through field surveys and laboratory analyses of soil physical properties (bulk density, soil texture, and porosity), soil chemical properties (soil pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available potassium), as well as the calculation of the Soil Quality Index (SQI). Socio-economic data of farmers were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire. The results showed that the physical properties of the soil had moderate to good potential, characterized by a silty clay loam texture, porosity of approximately 52.06%, and bulk density of approximately 1.33 g/cm³. However, the chemical properties indicated low soil fertility, with a base saturation value of 10.21%, total nitrogen of 0.06%, and organic carbon content of 0.46%. The Soil Quality Index value of 33 indicated that the soil quality was classified as poor and was not yet capable of optimally supporting rice cultivation. The socio-economic analysis revealed that the newly established rice fields still faced major constraints, particularly low soil quality and limited water availability, resulting in the land not being fully ready for optimal utilization. Limited capital, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, and insufficient government support and extension services also contributed to the slow development of land utilization. Nevertheless, farmers demonstrated very good technical knowledge in land management, strong social relationships among farmers, and perceived grain prices as an important factor influencing farming motivation. Recommended improvements include the application of organic materials such as compost or manure to increase soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacity, the use of lime/dolomite to improve base saturation and reduce soil acidity, and balanced fertilization based on soil test recommendations. In addition, improvements in irrigation systems and increased access to financial resources through government support are necessary to optimize sustainable utilization of newly established rice fields.