Spatial arrangement in alley cropping of moringa and crops to optimize farming income on small Potteran Island, Sumenep Regency

Abstract

Research on alley cropping was conducted as it contributes to soil and water conservation, in addition to improves landscapes aesthetics. This cropping system was introduced to farmers in the small island of Poteran, Sumenep Regency. Farmers on this island generally have narrow land and limited capital, hence intensification of farming with small capital but maximum production and income is needed. In an effort to obtain a high income, it is necessary to find the optimal spatial arrangement between hedgerowspace and alley crops space. The spatial planning model reserached included three scenarios, i.e. two row, three row and four row moringa hedge crop by combining corn, peanut, and cassava as alley crops.To obtain optimal scenario, this research used alley cropping data from previous research conducted in Talango Village, Poteran Island, on an area of 0.16 ha. Subsequently, a linear program supported by a solver application in Microsoft Excel was used to determine the optimum spatial arrangement scenario. The results showed a two-row moringa scenario with cassava as alley crop produced the highest income with the lowest cost.