Smart farming on pepper for fertilizers recommendation in Bangka Belitung

Abstract

Bangka Belitung, Indonesia was once known for pepper production before farmers switched to tin mining. Pepper plantations are still cultivated by individual farmers and significantly occupying large areas. It is necessary to provide fertilizer recommendations for farmers which is easily to be accessed. In the program of SpiceUp, farmers can simply inform the coordinates of their agricultural land so that farmers can obtain data on soil properties and fertilizer recommendations. Land units were developed and representative soil samples with the depth of 0-30 cm were collected in each land units. By using the soil data and nutrients absorption and put the loss factor of fertilizers the formula for fertilizers recommendation in each points were developed. The final productions were map of N, P, K and other nutrients status and map of fertilizers recommendation for N, P and K. These information were stored in the database centre. By sending the coordinates of their lands, the database centre sends the information for their soils nutrient status and N, P and K fertilizers recommendation. By developing this system, it is expected agriculture 4.0 could be reached by pepper farmers in Bangka Belitung for fertilizers application.