Evaluation of Land Suitability for Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Cultivation in Wotu Subdistrict, Luwu Timur Regency

This study aims to evaluate the actual and potential land suitability for cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) cultivation in Wotu District, East Luwu Regency, and identify its limiting factors. Conducted from April to July 2022, the research involved field surveys and soil analysis at the Soil Science and Environmental Conservation Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas muslim Indonesian, Makassar. Data used included rainfall records, administrative maps, land cover maps, soil type maps, and slope maps (1:50,000 scale). Using the FAO method with a limiting factor approach, results showed that actual land suitability in Land Unit 2 (36 and 37) is marginally suitable (S3), while Representative Land Unit 2 (12, 15, and 07) is not suitable (N1). Land Unit 3 (16, 25, 17) is also marginally suitable (S3). Potential suitability for Land Units 1, 2, and 3 increases to moderately suitable (S2). Limiting factors include water availability, nutrient retention, and rooting depth.