Experience in development of smallholder rice field area using Goespatial thematic data with different scale in Merauke, South of Papua Indonesia
Baba Barus (a,b), La Ode S. Iman (b), Utamy Sukmayu Saputri (c), Arien Heryansah (d), M. Yanuar J. Purwanto (b), Yuli Suharnoto (e), Nana Rostana(b), Aditya Yumansyah (b), Teguh M. Iskandar (b), Diar Shiddiq (b*)

a. Department of Soil Sciences and Land Resources, IPB
b. Centre for Regional System Analysis, Planning and Development, GITIIA Program, LRI PSEK IPB
c. Nusa Putra University
d. Ibnu Khaldun University
e. Civil and Engineering IPB
*diar.shiddiq[at]apps.ipb.ac.id

Abstract

The Indonesian government promotes food security through programs such as food estates, farmland optimization, and smallholder rice field development. This study reports experiences from Merauke, using geospatial thematic data of different scales for land suitability analysis. The process began with coarse-scale datasets for rapid zoning, followed by detailed data and field verification for accurate delineation. Results show major discrepancies between coarse and detailed analyses, underscoring risks of overestimation and spatial inaccuracy when relying solely on macro-level data. Three key constraints were identified: limited time, procedural inefficiency from repeated analyses, and lack of high-quality local data. The study recommends realistic timelines for data collection and validation, alignment of analytical steps with the availability of detailed data, and the design of rice field layouts based on optimal management units. While coarse data support initial screening, detailed geospatial information and ground truthing are essential for sustainable, conflict-free, and productive rice field development.

Keywords: Smallholder Rice Fields, Geospatial Data, Multi-Scale Analysis, Land Suitability, Clean and Clear Land, Merauke, Food Security

Topic: Topic D: Geospatial Data Integration