Analysis of Potato Industry Cultivation Location Selection in Indonesia using the Weighted Product (WP)

Abstract

PT ABCD, the world’s largest producer of potato chips, depends on industrial-grade potatoes cultivated through partnerships with Indonesian farmers. This study addresses the challenge of determining optimal sub-district locations for industrial potato cultivation by integrating agroclimatic and non-agroclimatic factors. The objective is to identify the most suitable cultivation areas based on agroclimatic variables (e.g., temperature, rainfall, sunlight duration, cloud cover, radiation, altitude, frost risk) and non-agroclimatic variables (e.g., harvested area, production, productivity, logistics, pest and disease incidence, irrigation, production costs, competition, and farmer capability). The research applies the Weighted Product (WP) method, which assigns weights to each criterion and employs a ranking process to evaluate alternatives. Data were obtained from PT ABCD’s agroclimatic database (2010–2020) processed via ArcGIS, complemented by secondary data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and field surveys.

Results identify the ten most suitable sub-districts for industrial potato cultivation as Batur (Banjarnegara, Central Java), Tosari (Pasuruan, East Java), Pasir Wangi (Garut, West Java), Cikajang (Garut, West Java), Sirampog (Brebes, Central Java), Pejawaran (Banjarnegara, Central Java), Bawang (Batang, Central Java), Kayu Aro (Kerinci, Jambi), Pangalengan (Bandung, West Java), and Kejajar (Wonosobo, Central Java). The study demonstrates that the WP method effectively integrates agroclimatic and non-agroclimatic considerations in site selection. These findings provide a valuable basis for strategic decision-making in the potato chip industry, supporting the identification of optimal cultivation sites to ensure sustainable supply and competitiveness.