Land Suitability Assessment and Agricultural Sustainability of Rice Cultivation in the Hilly Region of Jatiroto, Indonesia

This study aims to assess land suitability, identify limiting factors, evaluate agricultural sustainability, and develop improvement strategies for rice farming in Jatiroto Sub-district, Wonogiri, Indonesia. Land suitability was analyzed using purposive sampling with matching methods, and sustainability was assessed using the rapid assessment of plantation and farming (RAP-FARM) approach. The results show that inorganic and organic farming systems on slopes of 0–15% fall under land suitability class S3, while semi-organic systems on 0–8% slopes are classified as S2 and on 8–15% as S3. The limiting factor for land suitability was base saturation. Limiting factors in P-available and K-available were found in both inorganic and semi-organic farming systems. The limiting factors for base saturation, organic carbon, soil depth, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were found in the inorganic farming system. Efforts to improve land suitability for rice include adding dolomite, applying P and K fertilizers (semi-organic land), and adding organic matter (inorganic land). The sustainability index of organic farming system (61.30) and semi-organic farming system (55.87) had a moderately sustainable status, while the inorganic farming system (43.43) had a less sustainable status. Attributes that need improvement include landowner-tenant farmer relationships, the intensity of agricultural training and extension services, and market availability. These findings provide that land suitability and agricultural sustainability require specific nutrient inputs and market access, which is important reference for making sustainable agricultural policies.