Impact of Bamboo-Based Agroforestry Demonstration Plots Based on Farmers’ Perceptions

Abstract

One of the efforts to develop bamboo is to apply agroforestry patterns, including the establishment bamboo-based agroforestry demonstration plots (BAF demplots). This study aims to determine the impact of BAF demplots based on farmers’ perceptions. The research was conducted in Sukaharja Village, Rajadesa District, Ciamis Regency, West Java. The respondents in this study were 46 farmers who worked on BAF demplots and 31 farmers who did not work on BAF demplots, so the total number of respondents was 77. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation. The data obtained were then processed and analyzed descriptively. Important Performance Analysis was used to analyse the impact of the BAF demplots based on the farmers’ perceptions. The results showed that the BAF demplot had a positive impact on farmers involved in and outside the demplots, in term of social and ecological impacts. However, the economic impact of the BAF demplots is considered to be below farmers’ expectations. Therefore, for the demplot to provide more economic benefits, it is necessary to develop potential bamboo-based businesses as part of the demplot development by involving various related stakeholders.