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Proceedings - Balai Penelitian Tanah

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INTRODUCTION<br />

138<br />

Wahyunto et al.<br />

The agricultural sector played an important role in the economic<br />

development of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province prior to<br />

the 2004 tsunami. It contributed around 60% of village income, and<br />

about 48% of villagers engage in agriculture (Subagyono et al., 2005).<br />

Agricultural land along the coast affected by tsunami in Aceh Barat<br />

district including perennial tree crops and annual crops, was about<br />

24.7%. The disaster caused at least 6,7% (763 family) farms death or<br />

disappeared and 64% irrigation network damages (Dinas Pertanian<br />

Tanaman Pangan dan Hortikultura Provinsi NAD, 2005).<br />

Dense tree cover along the coastal line can attenuate the power of<br />

small and moderate waves of a tsunami. Tree crops provide<br />

sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection. Efforts to<br />

reconstruct agriculture, including the tree crop component, need to be<br />

accelerated to prepare farmers to depend again on themselves after<br />

being heavily supported. Reconstruction of damaged land requires<br />

careful planning based on nature and suitability of land for different<br />

crops.<br />

The requirements for growth of various crops can be obtained from a<br />

guideline developed by Indonesian Soil Research Institute in 2003.<br />

Land evaluation is conducted by matching (comparing) between land<br />

characteristics in every mapping unit with its crop requirements. The<br />

process can be carried out by computerized system such as the<br />

Automated Land Evaluation System (ALES) software or manually if<br />

only a few points or mapping units are to be evaluated. Land suitability<br />

classifications are defined based on their most serious limiting factors.<br />

The result of land evaluation will give information or guidance for<br />

proper land uses and finally, it will give the value of expected<br />

production. In this regard, an appropriate methodology supported by<br />

accurate data and information will be most important element<br />

concerning the land-use planning. Remote sensing and GIS<br />

techniques provide an efficient technology with capabilities of<br />

capturing, generating and analyzing the spatial data as well as<br />

integrating the statistical and quantitative data. The purpose of study<br />

is to have relatively accurate information for that part of tsunami<br />

disaster affected areas especially for coastal region of Aceh Barat<br />

district that has potential for development of tree crops and other<br />

agricultural crops, through land evaluation assessment by applying<br />

remote sensing and GIS techniques approach.<br />

MATERIALS AND METHODS<br />

The following images and maps were used in this study: (1) Satellite<br />

images including Landsat TM-5 and Landsat-7 taken in 2003 and<br />

International Workshop on Post Tsunami Soil Management, 1-2 July 2008 in Bogor, Indonesia

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