Interpolation methods of spatial distribution salt price during scarcity period in malang raya using geographic information system

Abstract

In mid-2017, people in Malang Raya experienced salt scarcity. This situation did not only happen in Malang Raya but also in almost all parts of Indonesia. This study was aimed to determine the distribution pattern of fine salt and crude salt in Malang Raya areas during the salt scarcity. The analysis was carried out by employing a Geographic Information System (GIS) based interpolation. The best interpolation result for fine salt was using the ordinary kriging method with a J-Bessel semivariogram. Meanwhile, the best interpolation method for crude salt was using the inverse distance weighting method. The results of this study revealed some effects of salt scarcity on salt prices. The shortage of salt in Malang Raya caused an increase of exceptional salt prices in almost all areas of Malang Raya, especially in the Northern and Southern part of Malang Regency. However, the result was different for crude salt. The production of crude salt decreased, and the stock was also limited. The demand for crude salt was low; thus, the price of crude salt did not rise sharply in all Malang Raya areas.