Agroforestry Innovation through Planned Farmer Behavior: Trimming in Pine–Coffee Systems

Abstract

Knowledge transfer depends on the motivations of the target users. A case study of the intention of Indonesian coffee farmers to use a tree canopy trimming technique in pine–based agroforestry highlights path-dependency and complexity of social-ecological relationships. Farmers have contracts permitting coffee cultivation under pine trees owned by the state forestry company but have no right to fell trees. A multidisciplinary international team of scientists supported farmers at the University of Brawijaya Forest in East Java to trial canopy trimming to improve light for coffee production while maintaining tree density. Data were collected using surveys through interviews, case study analysis using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and nonparticipant observations. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, we found that though farmer attitudes toward trimming techniques were positive, several factors needed to be scrutinized: perceived limited socio-policy support and resources. While there is hope that canopy trimming can improve coffee production and local ecosystem services, a participatory and integrative extension and communication strategy will be needed. In the relationship between farmers as agents and forest authorities as principals, any agroforestry innovation needs to incorporate knowledge and concerns in the triangle of farmers, policymakers and empirical science.

Knowledge Sharing Strategies between Coffee Farmers and Coffee Research Institute

“…This is unfortunate because the farmers also generate valuable knowledge based on their practice and experience. These findings echo other studies (Cahyono et al, 2020;Concu et al, 2020;Ingram, 2008;Percy, 2005) who argue that farmers' knowledge is not adequately or directly harnessed by research institutions, technocrats and other agencies. Thus, the voice of farmers is hardly heard in policy making, innovation and general development agenda.…”

Agroforestry-Based Ecosystem Services

“…Gendered species preferences link tree diversity and carbon stocks in cacao agroforest in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia [10] Gendered tree preferences Carbon stocks Functional tree diversity Agroforestry innovation through planned farmer behavior: trimming in pine-coffee system [11] Constraints to farmer tree management Gendered migration and agroforestry in Indonesia: livelihoods, labor, know-how, networks [12] Human migrationà F knowledge…”

Agroforestry as Policy Option for Forest-Zone Oil Palm Production in Indonesia

“…Rules can apply to trees, as well as to land as a production factor [190]. In the tradition of the Java Social Forestry program, forest authorities allowed farmers to grow annual crops, perennial fodder grass, or low-stature tree crops such as coffee under similar rules of a yield-share for the forest authorities [15]. Reference to such a system could lead to a financial charge on oil palm in the forest zone, for example within production forest lands where gazettement has been completed and the state is the legal owner.…”

“…At the social-ecological system scale of a landscape, the concept of 'agroforest' describes tree-based vegetation managed by farmers, who often see labeling this as a forest as a threat [12,13]. Institutionally such land use may be legalized under 'community-based forest management' rules [14], but these arrangements may maintain forest authorities in the 'landlord' role, expecting a share in any harvestable goods or sellable services that the land may generate [15]. The absence, at least until recently, of formal recognition for agroforestry as a valid form of land use intermediate to 'forest' and 'agriculture' has not prevented the existence and spread of such land uses that defy the rules [16] (Figure 1).…”