How Farmers Read the Land

The regulation of planting seasons, optimisation of land use, and increased knowledge allow agricultural activities to be planned precisely according to production conditions.

Wonogiri, Central Java, has entered the dry season, bringing a classic problem for farmers: water scarcity. This decrease in rainfall has narrowed the choice of commodities that can be cultivated, particularly on land with minimal irrigation supply.

This condition has prompted some farmers to alter their planting patterns to ensure their land remains productive. Tobacco has become one of the preferred commodities for the dry season because its water requirements are relatively lower compared to other types of crops.

This phenomenon is occurring in an area where the economy remains heavily dependent on the agricultural sector. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded that the economy of Wonogiri Regency grew by 5.67 per cent in 2025, with the value of economic activity reaching Rp42.82 trillion. The agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector remains the largest contributor, accounting for 27.36 per cent of the regional economy.

Therefore, the ability of farmers to manage land across various seasons is directly related to economic sustainability, both at the household and village levels.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that most of the Wonogiri region began entering the dry season in May 2026, with the peak expected to occur around August. BMKG also estimates that rainfall during the 2026 dry season in Central Java will generally fall within the below-normal to normal category.

Furthermore, during the second ten-day period of September 2026, Wonogiri entered an ‘alert’ status regarding meteorological drought warnings from BMKG Central Java.

In the midst of this situation, adjusting the planting calendar is crucial for farmers’ economic decisions. Land typically used for rice during the rainy season can be diverted to other commodities that are more tolerant of minimal water supply during the dry season.

One farmer implementing this pattern is Katino (40), a resident of Eromoko, Wonogiri. Before becoming a tobacco farmer, Katino worked as a truck driver. His decision to transition into agriculture began when he saw a 70-year-old farmer selling a tobacco harvest at a warehouse.

That sight opened Katino’s eyes to the fact that agriculture is a promising business opportunity. He began cultivating tobacco seriously in 2019. In the early stages, Katino learned independently from other farmers before eventually receiving assistance from a supplier company partnering with PT HM Sampoerna.

This assistance covers all stages of cultivation, from seedling production, land management, fertilisation, and irrigation, to post-harvest handling.

“From the start of planting, there is the seedling process. I was taught the correct way to sow seeds and how to care for the seedlings, how many days or hours they need. I was also taught the basics of fertilisation, up to the irrigation process; everything was explained,” said Katino, who expressed gratitude for the new knowledge gained from field assistants.

This knowledge has become an important foundation in managing his farming business. He is now accustomed to calculating seed selection, determining planting times, fertilisation, and water requirements tailored to the growth stages of the plants.

Thanks to his perseverance, Katino’s economic condition has begun to improve since 2023.

Income from his harvests has enabled him to purchase new paddy fields and expand his business scale. Currently, he manages approximately 9,000 square metres of land spread across three locations, has added one leased plot, and employs several farm labourers.

This planting pattern allows his agricultural activities to continue across seasons. During the rainy season, the land is focused on rice cultivation, while during the dry season, it is diverted to commodities that are more compatible with water availability.