Comparative Financial Feasibility of Manual and GPS-Integrated Semi-Autonomous Boat Tractor Ownership in Wetland Agroindustry: Evidence from South Sumatra, Indonesia
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Abstract
Boat tractors are essential for wetland mechanization, but their high cost and the added investment for semi-autonomous navigation raise financial viability concerns for smallholders farming less than 2 ha/year. This study compares manual versus GPS-integrated semi-autonomous boat tractor operation in shallow wetland conditions. Field experiments were conducted on a 0.09 ha plot in South Sumatra using an Agropro FS-28E tractor with a puddler. Technical parameters (operation time, field efficiency, fuel consumption) were measured for both modes. Financial analysis used NPV (6% discount rate), IRR, payback period, and ROI over five years under three annual tillage scenarios: 20, 40, and 60 ha/year. Field efficiency was 100% under manual operation compared with 42% under semi-autonomous operation, while fuel consumption was 1.01 L/ha and 2.40 L/ha, respectively. NPV was IDR -14.3 million (manual) and IDR -21.4 million (semi-autonomous). Manual became feasible at a minimum of 23.4 ha/year, semi-autonomous at ≥ 25.2 ha/year. At 60 ha/year, both were feasible, but manual generated higher NPV (IDR 153.6 vs 142.3 million) and shorter payback (1.5 vs 1.6 years). Under subsidized diesel (IDR 6,800/L) and service tariff (IDR 1.2 million/ha), the semi-autonomous system remains less attractive. A custom hiring service model is more suitable for smallholders with land below the break-even threshold.
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