Special Pattern and Distribution Land Suitability for Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) in Kupang District

Abstract

The Kupang Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, experiences 8-9 dry months annually and relies heavily on agricultural and livestock activities, integral to its population. Moringa cultivation for livestock feed is interconnected with these activities. To assess the spatial suitability of moringa plantations, a descriptive study utilized GIS software and overlay methods, incorporating elevation, slope, annual rainfall, temperature data, and land use maps. After excluding forested, residential, and other areas, Kupang Regency's total land area was 288,497 ha. Of this, 114,239 ha were found highly suitable, 138,040 ha moderately suitable, and 36,218 ha unsuitable for moringa cultivation. East Kupang Subdistrict ranked highest in suitable land (16,232 ha), followed by Takari (11,932 ha), Sulamu (9,281 ha), and West Kupang (8,208 ha). Conversely, Fatuleu Tengah (27 ha), Amfoang Tengah (96 ha), and Amfoang Selatan (409 ha) had the least very suitable land. Similarly, Takari (18,279 ha), West Fatuleu (15,784 ha), Fatuleu (14,194 ha), West Amarasi (10,620 ha), and South Amfoang (10,130 ha) excelled in moderately suitable land. In contrast, South Semau (246 ha), East Kupang (434 ha), and Central Kupang (960 ha) had the smallest moderately suitable areas. Unsuitable land for moringa, like South Amfoang (10,270 ha) and Amfoang Tengah (8,932 ha), were prominent. This research aids in identifying optimal locations for moringa cultivation, aligning farming practices with the region's agricultural needs.