Socio-economic Study of Conservation and Rehabilitation of Tropical Peatland With Agroforestry Systems in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Current studies on tropical peatlands in Indonesia are mostly focused on the impacts of management practices on the environment. Studies on efforts to conserve and rehabilitate the degradation of tropical peatland involving farmers through agroforestry systems have been limited. By employing the qualitative survey with semi-structured interviews and field observations to agroforestry locations in two villages of Tumbang Nusa and Kalampangan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia aims to fill those research gaps. The results showed that the main motivation of farmers in starting agroforestry activities was the understanding that there would be limited trees in the future, and planting trees with a combination of intercrops provided adequate income. Agroforestry farmers who devote considerable time to agroforestry can meet the family's economic needs. Although further guidance is not typically provided, government intervention through tree planting programs also stimulates agroforestry activities. Intensive management of intercrops in various types can provide a good income. For intensive intercropping options, farmers follow market demand, while less intensive farmers prefer plants that do not require intensive management. Trees planted in agroforestry systems are only given fertilizer at the initial planting stage. Some farms receive fertilizer subsidies from government support programmes, but fertilizers are obtained from intercropping at the following stage. The study results imply that the community needs to get knowledge and training on agroforestry, which can be a way of conserving and rehabilitating tropical peatlands and a source of income.