Local Wisdom of West Timorese Farmers in Land Management

Yohanis Ngongo, Tony Basuki, Bernard deRosari, Evert Y. Hosang, Jacob Nulik, Helena daSilva, Debora Kana Hau, Alfonso Sitorus, Noldy R. E. Kotta, Gerson N. Njurumana, Eko Pujiono, Lily Ishaq, Agnes V. Simamora and Yosep Seran Mau
Additional contact information
Yohanis Ngongo: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Tony Basuki: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Bernard deRosari: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Evert Y. Hosang: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Jacob Nulik: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Helena daSilva: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Debora Kana Hau: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Alfonso Sitorus: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Noldy R. E. Kotta: East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute of Agricultural Technology (ENT AIAT), Kupang 85362, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Gerson N. Njurumana: Research Center for Ecology and Etnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (NRIA), Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, West Java, Indonesia
Eko Pujiono: Research Center for Ecology and Etnobiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (NRIA), Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, West Java, Indonesia
Lily Ishaq: Agriculture Faculty, University of Nusa Cendana, Kupang 85001, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Agnes V. Simamora: Agriculture Faculty, University of Nusa Cendana, Kupang 85001, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Yosep Seran Mau: Agriculture Faculty, University of Nusa Cendana, Kupang 85001, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: This paper’s working hypothesis is that the indigenous farming practices of Timorese farmers are those most suitable and adaptable with regard to these farmers’ circumstances. Intensive farming and the acceleration of land conversion in Java lead to a reduction in favorable cropland and the degradation of soil biology. To meet the demand for food production, unfavorable areas outside Java, including marginal semi-arid areas on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, have become an important option. Unfortunately, the national crop production policy has paid less attention to the specific biophysical characteristics of the region and how local people have adapted to the diverse marginal environment. We review the literature in the areas of soil nutrition retention and soil biology, vegetation/crop diversity, and farming practices/management, including local wisdom on soil management. This paper highlights that the values of the chemical parameters of the soils in question are varied, but generally range from low to high. The existence of beneficial micro-organisms is important both for improving soil fertility and due to their association with local vegetation/crops. Traditional farming practices, such as the local agroforestry of Mamar, have effectively preserved the existence of micro-organisms that promote conservation practices, crop/vegetation diversity, and sustainable agriculture. We recommend that the expansion of croplands and crop production into marginal semi-arid areas needs to be considered and adapted while taking into consideration sustainability and environmentally sound traditional practices.

Keywords: farming system; natural vegetation; local wisdom; marginal areas; soil biology; Timor Island (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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