CHAPTER

BASIC AGRICULTURAL CONDITION

2.1

Agro-climatic Conditions

2.1.1

General
Climate in South Sulawesi is characterized by tropical monsoons, having distinct wet and
dry spells (periods) and by the existence of two contrasting climatic patterns prevailing in
the east and west coastal areas affected by the existence of north to south Latimojong and
Lompobattang mountain ranges in the central part of the province. The east monsoon
predominates from May to June bringing about the rainiest month around May in the east
coastal area. While, the west monsoon prevailing from November to April results in the
rainiest month occurred in January in the west coastal area. The patterns gradually shift
from west to east coast or east to west coast and there exist transitional zones in between
in the central part of the province.

2.1.2

Agro-climatic Conditions in the Study Area

The agro-climatic conditions of the Study Area are characterized by the length of the wet
and dry spells. Basically, the wet spells last for around three months from March/April to
July and the dry spells continue for two to three months during August to October. The
period between the dry and wet spells, November to February/March, is rather wet spells
than dry and the rainfall distribution in the period has an important meaning for food
crops production. The period is the 2nd cropping season in the Study Area and the volume
of rainfall in the period has substantial influence in the areal extent and productivity of
palawija crops cultivated in rainfed paddy fields as well as paddy planted areas in
irrigated fields. Further, the length of the dry spells affects palawija crop selection in the
period in irrigated areas to avoid wet injuries occurred in the onset of wet spells.
On the basis of the length of the wet and dry spells, the Study Area is broadly divided into
five (5) agro-climatic zones delineated by the number of consecutive wet (rainfall >200
mm/month) and dry (rainfall 100 < mm/month) months (Orden method) as shown in the
table below.
Agro-climatic Zones in the Study Area
Study Area
Maros & Western Enrekang
Eastern Part of Study Area
Central Part of Study Area
Eastern Part of Study Area
Southwest of Tempe Lake

Agro-climatic Zone
C2
D1
D2
E2
E3

2-1

Criteria: Consecutive
Wet Months Dry Months
>5
2-3
3-4
<2
3-4
2-3
<3
2-3
<3
3-5

2.2

Agro-demographic Features and Land Holding

2.2.1

Agro-demographic Features
The agro-demographic features of the Objective Area1 by sub-district are presented in
Table AG 2.1 and 2.2 and major indicators are summarized in the following table.

Agro-demographic Features of the Objective Area in 1993 1/

Range among
Agro-demographic Indicators
Sub-districts
Proportion of Farm Households to Total Households
23%97%
Proportion of Farm Households Using Land
75%100%
Proportion of Farm Households Having Activity in
- Food Crops Farming
58%99%
- Horticulture Crops Farming
1%66%
- Estate Crops Production
3%81%
- Livestock
11%74%
- Inland Fishery
0%17%
Labor Forces per Household
2.834.42
1/: Based on Agricultural Census, 1993 except for labor forces
2/: Overall average of the Objective Area

Average 2/
74%
99%
84%
24%
40%
33%
2%
3.17

According to the census results, the number of farm households of the Objective Area in
2001 is estimated at some 220,900 which accounts for 74% of the total households of
about 299,500. Primary farming activity of the farmers in the Area is food crops
production followed by estate crops production. Food crops farmers occupies some 84%
of total farmers. In terms of agricultural land use, paddy field occupies about 42% of total
farm lands; therefore, the priority sub-sector for the agriculture development in the
Objective Area should better be the food crops sub-sector practiced in paddy field.
The farm labor forces in the Area are calculated to be about 700,000 from the estimated
average labor forces per family by district based on the Population Census 2000, BPS2.
Estimated Number of Farm Labor Forces in the Objective Area
Labor Forces
District
per Household
Enrekang
2.90
Sidrap
2.83
Wajo
2.95
Soppeng
4.42
Bone
2.97
Maros
2.83
Objective Area
3.17
Note: Rounded figures

No. of Farm
Households
15,170
33,560
58,070
36,500
69,060
8,490
220,850

Demarcated by administrative areas of sub-districts located in the Study Area

Census punduduk 2000, BPS

2-2

Estimated
Farm Labor Forces
43,990
94,970
171,310
161,330
205,110
24,030
700,740

2.2.2

Land Holding
The current land holding status in the Objective Area was roughly estimated by
sub-district based on the number of farm households and the present agricultural land use
as shown in Table AG 2.2 and summarized below.
Roughly Estimated Land Holding Status in the Objective Area
Indicators
Range 1/
Average 2/
Average Farm Land Holding Size/Farm Household
1.003.52 ha
2.36 ha
Average Holding Size of Paddy Field/Farm Household
0.182.53 ha
1.00 ha
Avg. Holding Size of Irrigated Paddy Field/Farm Household
0.081.72 ha
0.49 ha
Distribution of Farm Household by Holding Size
- < 0.5 ha
047 %
19 %
- 0.5 ha
53100 %
81 %
1/: Range among project sub-districts
2/: Overall average of the Objective Area

As shown in the tables, there are substantial differences in average farm land holding size
per farm household among sub-districts in the Objective Area. However, the differences
in the holding sizes in paddy fields and irrigated paddy fields are more remarkable among
sub-districts depending on locations/topographic conditions and development of irrigation
systems. Accordingly, there are clear differences among districts in the holding size of
irrigated field depending on district. Sidrap and Soppeng districts are well supported by
irrigation system, while Enrekang, Wajo and Bone are rather limited with irrigation
development. The average holding sizes of irrigated paddy field per farm household by
district are as follows:

District
Enrekang
Sidrap
Wajo

Irrigated Paddy Field per Farm Household

Holding Size
District
Holding Size
0.19 ha
Soppeng
0.57 ha
1.11 ha
Bone
0.32 ha
0.38 ha
Maros
0.47 ha
Objective Area
0.49 ha

Similarly, farmers by sub-districts well blessed in term of agricultural land use being
assessed by average holding sizes of irrigated paddy field are as follows;

District
Sidrap
Wajo
Soppeng
Bone

Sub-district Where Farmers Well Blessed with Irrigated Paddy Field

Sub-district
Holding Size
Major Irrigation System
Maritengae/Sidenreng, & Dua 1.17 & 1.72 ha DIs. Sadang, DI. Bila
Pitue/Pitu Riase/Pituriawa
Belawa
0.90 ha
DI. Sadang Belawa
Lili Riaja/Ganra
0.95 ha
DI. Langkeme
Dua Boccoe
0.87 ha
Pumping irrigation

2-3

On the contrary, the sub-districts less blessed in term of agricultural land use assessed
similarly include:

District
Enrekang
Wajo
Soppeng
Bone

Sub-district Where Farmers Less Blessed with Irrigated Paddy Field

Sub-district
Holding Size
Maiwa/M. Atas & Enrekang/E. Selatan
0.11 ha
Pammana, Takkalalla/Bola, Sajoanging/Penrang & Tanasitolo
0.200.31 ha
Lili Rilau & Mario Riwawo
0.25 & 0.27 ha
Bontocani, Ponre, Lamuru/T. Limpoe, Ulaweng/Amali,
0.080.28 ha
Tellusiatinge, Ajangale & Cenranae

No statistic information on the land tenure status in the Object Area was accessible during
the present Study. The roughly estimated land tenure status in the project districts based
on the data presented in the Agricultural Census is summarized in the following table.
Land Tenure Status of Cultivated Land by District
District
Own Land
Rented In
Right to Use
Enrekang
22,090 ha
1,340 ha
23,430 ha
Sidrap
24,760 ha
13,300 ha
38,060 ha
Wajo
57,060 ha
21,230 ha
78,290 ha
Soppeng
29,820 ha
11,300 ha
41,120 ha
Bone
88,920 ha
22,460 ha
111,380 ha
222,650 ha
69,630 ha
292,280 ha
Total
76 %
24 %
100 %

From the table, it is estimated that some 76% of the farm lands in the project districts
excluding Maros are utilized by land owners and about 24% of the same utilized under
certain tenancy arrangements.

2-4