Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2025 (vol. 71), issue 3
Modelling for a land suitability analysis of rice terraces on the upland area using the geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP)Original Paper
Razali, Rahmawaty, Chairani Hanum, Zulkifli Nasution
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):121-129 | DOI: 10.17221/101/2024-RAE 
Rice fields are the main source of rice production. Rice field expansion is one way to increase rice production. Rice field expansion activities for the upland area in Indonesia are often overlooked due to limited information about the availability of suitable land. In upland areas, rice terraces are often found. Until now, there has been no guideline for determining the suitable location of rice terraces on upland areas. The purpose of this study was to develop a land suitability assessment model for rice terraces using geographic information system (GIS) and the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) on upland areas like the Lake Toba catchment area....
Balancing quality and safety: Optimising drying and sodium metabisulphite use in low-fat desiccated coconutOriginal Paper
Indriati Cahyadewi, Waqif Agusta, Rumpoko Wicaksono, Tantry Eko Putri Mariastuty, Lusiana Kresnawati Hartono, Herdiarti Destika Hermansyah, Farah Nuranjani
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):130-142 | DOI: 10.17221/3/2025-RAE
Indonesia, as a leading coconut producer, generates a substantial amount of coconut pulp from coconut milk extraction, which can be further processed into low-fat desiccated coconut. However, the drying process induces browning, reducing its whiteness and overall quality. Sodium metabisulphite is commonly used to prevent browning, but excessive use raises health concerns. In this study, the optimisation of the drying temperature and sodium metabisulphite concentration was conducted to minimise the browning while maintaining the quality of low-fat desiccated coconut. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD),...
Addressing water scarcity in agriculture through small reservoir construction in Kashkadarya ProvinceOriginal Paper
Khojiakbar Khasanov, Masharif Bakiev, Oqil Rasulov, Nodira Babajanova, Ilhom Abdurahmanov
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):143-154 | DOI: 10.17221/20/2025-RAE
This study explores the construction of small reservoirs (SRs) as a strategic solution to address water scarcity in Kashkadarya Province, Uzbekistan, where agricultural productivity is heavily dependent on irrigation. By utilising geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technologies, optimal locations for reservoirs were identified, focusing on improving the water availability for irrigation during critical periods. The research highlights the socio-economic and environmental benefits of SRs, including enhanced agricultural yields, increased employment opportunities, and reduced reliance on energy-intensive pumping stations. The...
Optimisation of the temperature and drying time of kaffir lime leaves (Citrus hystrix DC.) using Response Surface MethodologyOriginal Paper
Asri Widyasanti, Sintia Nabila Putri, Rahmat Budiarto, Nor Nadiah Abdul Karim Shah
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):155-162 | DOI: 10.17221/94/2024-RAE
This study optimised the drying process of kaffir lime leaves (Citrus hystrix DC.) to extend the shelf life and preserve the quality by reducing the moisture content. A Central Composite Design (CCD) under the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) framework was employed, with the temperature (55 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C) and drying time (5, 5.5, 6 h) as the variables. Experiments were conducted with a mechanical food dehydrator, and the parameters evaluated included the water content and drying yields. The optimal condition was identified as 60 °C for 5 h, resulting in a drying yield of 33.3% and a final moisture content of 7.153 (% w.b.), which...
Rheological properties of banana fruit in the creep test: Effect of variety and ripeness levelOriginal Paper
Nursigit Bintoro, Bambang Purwantana, Bayu Nugraha, Surya Abdul Muttalib, Slamet Sulistiadi, Vivien Fathuroya
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):163-173 | DOI: 10.17221/12/2025-RAE
Banana quality is influenced by many factors, including variety and level of fruit ripeness. This quality can be evaluated from various points of view, one of which is the rheological consideration. Rheological properties are very important to study because they determine the design of equipment and processes, and minimise product damage. The aim of this research was to analyse and model the effect of variety and ripeness level on the rheological properties of banana fruit by applying a creep test. This research was carried out using a factorial experimental design 3 × 3 with 5 replications. Three varieties of banana, namely Ambon (Musa parasidiaca...
Free electricity tandem-twin-hybrid solar-biomass dryer increased the performance of coffee cherry dryingOriginal Paper
Yuwana Yuwana, Syafnil Syafnil
Res. Agr. Eng., 2025, 71(3):174-187 | DOI: 10.17221/98/2024-RAE
A free electricity tandem-twin-hybrid-solar-biomass dryer comprised of two drying rooms and operated with solar and biomass energy combustion of 10 kg rubber wood per hour separately to dry Robusta coffee cherries with 3, 6, 9, and 12 cm bed thicknesses were studied with the drying completion time (tc), number of defects (ND), and colour parameters, i.e., lightness (L*), hue angle [H(o)], and chroma (C), used as the performance indicators. The experimental results indicated that the drying room, bed thickness, and drying room-bed thickness interaction significantly affected the tc and ND...