Facilitator is explaining how take coordinate position of

the tree

Demonstating how to use MobileMapper

Implementation of GIS Technology in Horticultural Sector

By Iskandar Zulkarnain

(Manager of Applied Technology Unit of the Horti Chain Centre) GIS technology can be used for: earth surface based scientific investigations; resource management, reference, and projections of a geospatial nature--both human made and natural; asset management and location planning; archaeology; environmental impact study; infrastructure assessment and development; urban planning; cartography, for a thematic and/or time based purpose; criminology; GIS data development geographic history; marketing; logistics; population and demographic studies; prospectivity mapping; location attributes applied statistical analysis; warfare assessments; and other purposes. Examples of use are: GIS may allow emergency planners to easily calculate emergency response times and the movement of

response resources (for logistics) in the case of a natural disaster; GIS might be used too to find wetlands that need protection strategies regarding pollution; or GIS can be used by a company to site a new business location to take advantage of GIS data identified trends to respond to a previously under-served market. Most city and transportation systems planning offices have GIS sections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system).

What about horticulture sector? Can we use GIS technology to provide horticultural information? Off course, GIS Technology can be used not only to inform acreage land owned by farmer or farmer group and border between farm area, moreover GIS Technology possible to provide detail informatin such planting date, fertilization history, harvesting history, pest and deseases history etc. which those information can be accessed by everyone, everywhere and everytime through internet because GIS Technology nowdays is easy to integrate to satelite photo f.i. google maps. Some consumers, especially in developing countries, they want to know where the produce comes from. All related information reffering to

the quality assurance scheme for food safety production management are possible to store in database basis. Key

factor for success in utilizing GIS Technology in horticultural sector is by up dating data regularly by the producers, in this case farmers or their organization. To implement GIS Technology into horticultural sector, Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking equipment is needed as tool to obtain coordinate position. There are many brands available in the market, even in mobile phone, GPS is attached. Different manufacture will offer different quality and accuracy. One of indicator of good quality GPS tracking equipment is speed of the tools to catch signal from satelite because it will save time

Training participants from KBUI, AMAL and

Cikembar, key actors of Mangosteen Supply

Chain

Training participant in practical work in the mangsoteen

orchad

during take coordinate position or measure acreage of certain area. More accurate GPS tracking equipment in taking coordinate position, the more accurate result.

Horti Chain Centre as supply chain development centre that provide services to enable a better performance of Indonesian horticultural supply chain has been carried out training on GIS Mapping for Mangosteen orchad. About 35 mangosteen farmers are trained how to use GPS tracking equipment to make their farm boudaries, measure their farm acreage, taking coordinate position of their mangosteen trees, upload data to google earth, manage record keeping of farm activities. Horti Chain Centre is Managed by Indonesian-Netherlands Association, LEI-Wageningen University Research Center, Fresh Studio Innovations and supported by Indonesian Facility of EVD Direct benefits gained by the farmer are farmers know

accurately their land acreage, number of tree owned etc. Future benefit will be obtained by the farmers or farmer organization is the value of the information. With accurate information they have, it help them in make planning. Better planning is a one step ahead to gain better result. Further information for this service, please contact:

HORTI CHAIN CENTRE C/O : Indonesian-Netherlads Association

Indonesian-Benelux Chamber of Commerce

Gedung Menara Jamsostek Tower A-20th

fl Room 2002

Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No. 38 Jakarta 12710

Phone: +62 21 5290 2177 Fax: +62 21 5290 2178

Website: www.hortichain.org E-mail: info@hortichain.org

Contact Person: Ario Sudiro