Can We Simultaneously Restore Peatlands and Improve Livelihoods? Exploring Community Home Yard Innovations in Utilizing Degraded Peatland

Abstract

Peatlands support the daily needs of people in many villages in Indonesia, including in Central Kalimantan Province. They provide the natural resources to enable fisheries, agriculture, plantations, and forestry. However, peatland utilization comes with various challenges, including fire, soil acidity, inundation, low fertility, and limited choice of suitable species. Many of the current uses of peatland can result in its degradation, oxidation, and increased risk of peat fire. Avoiding further environmental degradation will require the development of new technology that allows the community to both earn a livelihood and protect the peatland. In this study we assessed a range of technologies applied by 14 farmers at Tumbang Nusa village, Central Kalimantan province, in managing degraded peatlands in their home yard for agricultural business. The study shows that for endemic peatland species, good success can be achieved if they are planted directly. However, for species endemic to mineral land, there are four technologies applied by farmers in managing degraded peatland. The choice of technologies is influenced by their economic capacity/cash flow flexibility and their understanding of peatlands. Technologies intended to adapt to land inundation include the use of polybags, development of raised beds, and making peat mounds with mineral soil in the centre. Technologies to address the acidity and soil fertility include amelioration with dolomite lime and fertilizer. The use of polybags filled with peat soil is the easiest technology to adopt and can be conducted by all family members. However, a farmer’s choice of technology needs to always consider the potential environmental impacts in addition to increasing soil fertility so that peat conservation is maintained.

Farm Household Vulnerability Due to Land and Forest Fire in Peatland Areas in South Sumatra

“…In line with the results of this research, natural capital-based livelihood strategies that use existing natural resources combined with agricultural cultivation are the main strategies chosen by the community to sustain their livelihoods [41]. Nevertheless, the use of peatland for agricultural activities has its own challenges, including fires, soil acidity, low fertility, and limited choice of suitable species [42]. Some of these challenges increase the risk of the income of the head of the household being uncertain.…”

The value of local wisdom for peatland fire risk reduction in the wetland area of South Kalimantan

“…Shallow peat has the potential to be developed as an agricultural area planted with vegetables and fruits. Peatlands also have the potential to be developed as fisheries and plantation areas [29]. Although peatland problems are numerous, such as fire, soil acidity, inundation, and low fertility, properly managed peat will be a sustainable source of livelihood for the population.…”

Development of agroforestry products in supporting peatland restoration and food security: A lesson from South Sumatra, Indonesia

“…In addition, some farmers also developed various types of vegetables such as eggplant, long beans, chilies, tomatoes, and so on. Adaptation to soil inundation on peatlands was carried out by the community by using polybags, developing beds, and making peat mounds with mineral soil in the middle [30]. Figure 1 shows the agroforestry system developed by the community by combining jelutong with pineapple.…”