Aspects of Land Survey to Increase Efficiency and Sustainability in Agriculture

Apparently, running an agricultural project is very difficult nowadays. Many factors influence the success of a plant planting or cultivation project. How can I say something like that? Indeed, my experience while working has made it a clear reality that running an agricultural project really requires careful preparation.

Last year I was allowed to directly manage a horticultural commodity planting project in my company, especially chilli commodities, from here I really started from scratch. The first step I have to do is a survey to determine the suitability of the land for this planting project. Therefore, in my opinion, it is very important to carry out a land survey to evaluate the suitability of land from various aspects to the needs of agricultural businesses.

Land survey is very important in modern agriculture, appropriate land survey can provide important information to optimize land use, increase crop productivity and ensure agricultural sustainability, especially for farmers' businesses.

Through precise measurements and analysis, land surveys enable farmers to make appropriate decisions, for example in crop selection, irrigation strategies, land management, and resource allocation, both natural resources and human resources. This article will explore how important land survey is in agriculture and their impact on improving efficiency and sustainability in agricultural practices. So, in this article, I will try to dissect in general what important factors I found to be taken into consideration when identifying land that is suitable for farming. I categorized these factors into several aspects that were observed during the survey.

1. Land Quality Aspects

a. Soil Quality: Soil quality for agriculture is an important point. When conducting a land survey we can collect information, assess the condition of the soil, including texture, structure, nutrient levels, acidity/pH, and contamination. Of course, what we are looking for is fertile soil with adequate drainage and nutrient content, because this is very important for healthy plant growth.

b. Topography: Check the terrain of the land area, the slope, height and height of the land to understand its suitability for cultivating a particular crop and also check whether there is a potential risk of erosion. Of course, getting flat or sloping land is preferable because this makes agricultural activities and water distribution easier.

c. Climate and Weather: When surveying land don't forget to consider local climate patterns, humidity levels, temperature ranges, rainfall, and wind velocity. Understanding these climate conditions can help determine crop viability while running a project.

d. Water Availability: It is necessary to evaluate water sources for irrigation, including access to natural water sources or irrigation systems. An adequate and reliable water source is essential for crop irrigation, especially during long dry seasons.

2. Environmental Aspect

a. Take into account environmental aspects such as the presence of native vegetation, wildlife habitats, and potential impacts of farming practices on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

b. Land History and Land Use: Research the land's history, including previous agricultural activities, crop pests and diseases, land use, possible disasters, and any potential contamination or soil degradation issues. Knowing the history of the land can help assess the land's suitability for farming.

3. Accessibility aspect

Here it is very necessary to consider the proximity of land to markets, transport links in the area, and essential services such as roads, utilities and storage facilities. Good accessibility will greatly facilitate the transportation of harvests and access to the necessary resources.

4. Social-Labors Aspect

The surrounding community of the land site presents a significant opportunity for collaboration with local farmers, which can contribute to the economic development of local families. Partnering with the local community, particularly farmers is essential since each region has unique cultivation practices. In Indonesia, the diverse natural conditions and cultural variations influence farming methods. When forming this collaboration, it is crucial to consider the potential number of farmers based on age range and work performance, as well as the appropriate wages for local labors.

5. Regulatory Compliance Aspect

Accurate land surveys provide documentation of property boundaries, land tenure arrangements, and land use classifications, facilitating land tenure security and dispute resolution. Furthermore, land survey data support land use planning initiatives, such as watershed management, urban-rural development planning, and protected area designation, promoting sustainable land use practices and balanced territorial development.

6. Social-Culture Aspect 

A critical final aspect is the local community's social and cultural acceptance of the project's presence and sustainability. The project will proceed smoothly and safely if, from the land survey takes into account the local social and cultural dynamics, as well as the community's structure, including local leaders, stakeholders, and other relevant entities.

I have developed a method to determine the priority scale of data or information needed during a land survey, specifically for executing an agricultural project. There are six aspects that must be deeply investigated to enable precision agriculture and make accurate future predictions based on the survey data.

The following illustration depicts the priority scale during a land survey in the form of an inverted triangle. Why is it designed this way? Here's the rationale: I place the aspect of natural resources at the top because these resources are scarce and essential for supporting productive agriculture.

Next in importance are human resources, which are essential for the successful execution of the project, followed by legal considerations and the cultural dynamics of the community.
As we move further down the priority scale, It becomes less significant as the primary focus of the survey is to identify the most suitable land conditions from the perspective of natural conditions. This indicates that these aspects can be adjusted through environmental adaptation, the development of regulations, and the implementation of supporting programs.

In the subsequent discussion, I will explore in greater detail the key aspects of land surveying pertaining to land quality or crop suitability for a specific commodity. Additionally, I will address strategies for identifying suitable land for a project when confronted with a plethora of survey data. That concludes all the aspects that need to be gathered during land surveying. These initial data are crucial as accurate and factual information when initiating agricultural projects, given the multitude of determining factors for their success.