Maize Farming System in The Rainfed Area Base on The Groundwater Management in Timor Indonesia

¹ Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
² Research Center for Food Crops, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: lekialeks@gmail.com

Abstract

Farmer production in the rainfed area faces various challenges as long as the production process is conducted. The main challenge and crucial factor in this area for managing the agriculture sector is water limitation, as we know that rainfed in semi-arid regions significantly depends on the annual rainfall. Successful farming production is determined by the adequacy of rainfall in the rainy season of the year. The objectives of this research are (1) to know the economic aspect of management groundwater for maize farming system and (2) to evaluate the productivity of maize farming system in the rainfed area. This research will be conducted in Naiboat–Kupang during the dry season 2019. They were using demonstration farming methods and applying recommendation technology for maize farming. The result of the research is that farmers use groundwater for irrigating maize farming systems to avoid drought, and maize grows normally. The productivity of maize that apply recommendation technology can reach 8 ton/ha.