Abstract:
The objective of this research is 1) to know the perception of farmers on land conversion of paddy into horticulture and corn land, 2) find out the factors that affect the conversion land of paddy into horticulture and corn land based on the type of land conversion, 3) find out the type of land conversion use that occurred on the paddy farmers, 4) find out the problems faced by paddy farmers so they switched to horticulture and corn crops. This Observation was conducted in the village of Baruara, Balige district, Toba Samosir regency. An observation was carried out for 4 months from January to April 2013. Observation was conducted through a survey and using a purposive sampling method. Samples taken on 35 household as paddy farmers who have been doing land conversion into horticulture and corn land. Observation shows the perception of farmers on paddy land conversion into horticultural and corn lands are included in good categories with the achievement score of 3.80 out of a maximum score. Factors affecting paddy land conversion based on the type of land conversion is the motivation of people to develop farming, production is decreasing, and the economic pressure which types of land conversion that occurs in land conversion is a sporadic type. The problems faced by paddy farmers are unfavorable soil conditions, decreasing production, poor irrigation system, the Government's policy for non-paddy agriculture and the development of tourist attraction are increasing yet there's an unclear legislation on wetland protection, especially irrigation.
