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

Niken Sakuntaladewi, Dony Rachmanadi, Daniel Mendham, Tri Wira Yuwati, Bondan Winarno, Bambang Tejo Premono, Sri Lestari, Adnan Ardhana, Ramawati, Kushartati Budiningsih, Dian Charity Hidayat and Mohamad Iqbal
Additional contact information
Niken Sakuntaladewi: Centre for Research and Development on Social, Economics, Policy and Climate Change, Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency (FOERDIA), Jl Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Dony Rachmanadi: Environment & Forestry Research & Development Institute of Banjarbaru, Jl. A. Yani km 28.7 Landasan Ulin, South Kalimantan 70721, Indonesia
Daniel Mendham: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Land and Water, Private Bag 12, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
Tri Wira Yuwati: Environment & Forestry Research & Development Institute of Banjarbaru, Jl. A. Yani km 28.7 Landasan Ulin, South Kalimantan 70721, Indonesia
Bondan Winarno: Forest Research and Development Center, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Jl. Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Bambang Tejo Premono: Environment and Forestry Research and Development Institute of Palembang, Jl. Kol. H. Burlian Km 6.5 Puntikayu, Palembang 30153, Indonesia
Sri Lestari: Forest Research and Development Center, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Jl. Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Adnan Ardhana: Environment & Forestry Research & Development Institute of Banjarbaru, Jl. A. Yani km 28.7 Landasan Ulin, South Kalimantan 70721, Indonesia
Ramawati: Centre for Research and Development on Social, Economics, Policy and Climate Change, Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency (FOERDIA), Jl Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Kushartati Budiningsih: Centre for Research and Development on Social, Economics, Policy and Climate Change, Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency (FOERDIA), Jl Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Dian Charity Hidayat: Centre for Research and Development on Social, Economics, Policy and Climate Change, Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency (FOERDIA), Jl Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia
Mohamad Iqbal: Centre for Research and Development on Social, Economics, Policy and Climate Change, Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency (FOERDIA), Jl Gunung Batu No. 5 Bogor, Jawa Barat 16118, Indonesia

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-22

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.

Keywords: degraded peatland; agroforestry; home yard; agricultural technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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