Peanut farming remains an important source of income for many rural communities in Indonesia. In Pangkep Regency, farmers commonly cultivate peanuts because the crop has a relatively short growing season, moderate production costs, and stable market demand. However, many producers still depend on conventional planting techniques that require considerable manual labor, making production more expensive and less efficient.
The research from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar addresses this challenge by comparing two planting systems used by local farmers: the traditional manual method and planting with a tugal, a simple tool designed to place seeds at consistent depths and spacing. The comparison provides valuable evidence for farmers, agricultural extension officers, and policymakers seeking practical ways to improve productivity without requiring expensive machinery.
Comparing Traditional and Tugal Planting Methods
The study was conducted in Lanne Village, Tondong Tallasa Subdistrict, Pangkajene and Islands (Pangkep) Regency, South Sulawesi. Researchers used a quantitative survey involving 40 peanut farmers, equally divided between traditional planting and tugal planting users.
The team collected information on production costs, labor expenses, crop yields, revenues, and net farm income during one planting season. The data were then statistically compared to determine whether differences between the two farming methods were significant.
Unlike large-scale mechanized equipment, the tugal is a relatively simple planting tool that helps farmers maintain uniform seed spacing while reducing manual labor requirements. This makes it particularly suitable for smallholder farmers who need affordable technologies that improve efficiency without dramatically increasing investment costs.
Higher Income Through Greater Efficiency
The research found that farmers using the tugal planting method earned more income despite only a slight increase in crop production. The main advantage came from reducing production costs, especially labor expenses.
Key findings include:
- Average income using traditional planting: Rp24,119,084 per growing season.
- Average income using the tugal planting tool: Rp25,456,051 per growing season.
- Average production cost (traditional): Rp7,505,916.
- Average production cost (tugal): Rp6,293,949.
- Average revenue (traditional): Rp31,625,000.
- Average revenue (tugal): Rp31,750,000.
The study also reported that traditional farms produced an average of 1,265 kilograms of peanuts per hectare, while farms using the tugal produced 1,270 kilograms per hectare. Although the production difference was relatively small, the reduction in labor costs allowed tugal users to achieve higher overall profits.
Researchers noted that the tugal planting tool requires a slightly higher fixed investment because of equipment costs. Nevertheless, the savings in labor expenses more than compensated for this additional investment, resulting in lower total production costs.
Statistical Evidence Supports the Results
The difference between the two farming systems was not merely observational. Statistical analysis showed a t-value of 26.678, considerably higher than the critical value of 1.669 at the 95 percent confidence level. The significance value was also below the accepted threshold, indicating that the income difference between traditional planting and tugal planting was statistically significant.
The researchers also found that the tugal method contributed 53.93 percent of the combined performance measured in the study, compared with 46.07 percent for traditional planting, further demonstrating the superior efficiency of the planting tool.
Benefits Beyond Higher Income
The findings suggest that introducing simple agricultural technology can improve the competitiveness of smallholder farming without requiring sophisticated machinery.
More consistent seed placement allows crops to grow more uniformly, while lower labor requirements reduce production expenses. These improvements may help farmers maintain profitability even when labor availability declines or wages increase.
The results are particularly relevant for agricultural development programs that focus on increasing productivity through practical, low-cost innovations. Local governments and agricultural extension services could use these findings to encourage wider adoption of tugal planting tools through training programs, demonstration plots, and equipment assistance.
The study also highlights that technological adoption does not necessarily require expensive mechanization. Instead, relatively simple innovations can produce meaningful economic benefits when they improve production efficiency.
Insight from the Researchers
The authors from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar concluded that the higher income achieved through the tugal planting method was driven primarily by greater labor efficiency and lower production costs, while crop yields were also slightly higher than those obtained through traditional planting. Their findings indicate that appropriate technology can improve both farm efficiency and farmers' economic returns.
Author Profile
Azzahratul Faisya is a researcher from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, specializing in agricultural economics and farm management. This study was conducted together with Reni Fatmasari Syafruddin, Hasriani, Muh. Arifin Fattah, and Isnam Junais, who are also affiliated with the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. Their academic work focuses on agricultural economics, farming systems, rural development, and agricultural technology adoption.
Source
Article Title: Comparative Analysis of Peanut Farming Income Using Traditional Methods and Tugal in Tondong Tallasa Subdistrict, Pangkep Regency
Authors: Azzahratul Faisya, Reni Fatmasari Syafruddin, Hasriani, Muh. Arifin Fattah, and Isnam Junais
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Analytics (IJAEA)
Volume: 5, Issue 2
Publication Year: 2026
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