The cropping pattern is a description of the plan of planting various types of plants to be cultivated in an irrigated field in one year. Factors affecting cropping patterns, among others, (1) Availability of water in one year, (2) infrastructure available in those lands, (3) Type of local soil, (4) general condition of the area, eg puddle, (5) habits and skills of local farmers.
Determination of the pattern of cropping is required for efforts to increase food production.
The pattern of cropping is kind of cultivated plants in a unit area in one growing season. Average cropping pattern is the arrangement of plants cultivated in a unit area in one year. Cropping pattern of prevailing in each region will be different from other regions, due to the characteristics of each region is different. There are two main points that underlie the need for the pattern of planting, (1) supply of irrigation water in the dry season is limited, (2) the utilization of limited irrigation water should be as well as possible, so that each plot get water according to the required amount.
Tata planting is an attempt to regulate water that is tailored to the needs of plants, plant species and extensive raw rice fields on a farm. Planting plan carried out in order to avoid chaos in the distribution and the provision of water. Planting layout plan prepared include (1) a planting plan, (2) Initiation of water (breeding, cultivation and planting), (3) End the provision of water. Factors that influence the pattern of planting are:
a. Climate
The circumstances of the rainy season and the dry season will affect the water supply to the plant where the rainy season, the water supply for the plants are in large numbers, while during the dry season water supplies will decline.
b. Topography
As the location or land elevation from sea level, affect the temperature and humidity in which both affect plant growth.
c. Water discharge Available
Discharge of water during the rainy season will be greater than in the dry season, so it must be assessed whether it is sufficient if the discharge current to plant a particular crop.
d. social Economy
In the agricultural business these factors are factors that are difficult to change, because dealing with the customs of farmers in planting a crop species.
Interest pattern of planting is to utilize the supply of irrigation water as effectively as possible, so that the plant can grow well. While the goal of planting governance regimes are as follows:
- Avoid crop uniformity.
- Establish a schedule of planting time in an effort to facilitate the management of irrigation water.
- Improved irrigation efficiency.
- Preparation of labor for preparing the ground for the right time.
- Increase agricultural production.
Based on the purpose of planting pattern of the above there are several factors to consider for planning pattern of planting, namely:
e. early planting
Indonesia region has two seasons, dry season and rainy season. Therefore, in the pattern of early planting planting is essential to plan. At the beginning of planting, usually the rainy season has not gone down so that the water supply is relatively small. To avoid water shortage, the order system at the time of planting land preparation is set properly.