Spatial and Temporal Patterns of the Decreasing Rice Field in Sidorejo Sub-district, Salatiga City, Central Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

The agricultural land conversion and all its utilization happens as time goes by. This conversion commonly happens in Indonesia, including in Sidorejo District, Salatiga City. Sidorejo is one of the potential areas of agriculture, especially for agriculture area in Central Java. The agriculture area in Sidorejo has decreased by 3.12 km2 in the past 10 years (2007 - 2017). The purpose of this research is to map changes of rice field area in spatial and temporal manner. The research variables include topography, river network, farmer education level, farmers' income, and population. This study utilizes primary data obtained from interviews and questionnaires, while the secondary data is obtained from Centre of Statistical Bureau, Geospatial Information Bureau, and USGS DEM. The analytical method used in this study is overlay and transects in a systematically random sample. The results indicated that rice fields area changes in the western and eastern parts of Sidorejo for 10 years (2007-2017) which were generally triggered by population. Rice field area changing in west correlates with topography, river networks, education levels and low farmer incomes. Meanwhile, rice field area changing in east correlates with the level of education and high income of farmers.