Socio economic characteristics of community living in peatlands and their perception on peatland management: a case study of Jabiren, Central Kalimantan Province

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Sosio-economic characteristics of community living in peatlands .................................................................(Sumarhani & Hesti L. Tata)
IUFRO • INAFOR 2017- POSTER F5
Sosio-Economic Characteristics of Community Living in Peatlands and
Their Perceptions on Peatland Management: A Case Study of Jabiren,
Central Kalimantan Province
Sumarhani1 & Hesti L. Tata1
1Forest Research and Development Center, Jalan Gnung Batu 5, Bogor 16610, Indonesia
E-mail: sumarhani26@yahoo.co.id, hl.tata@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Jabiren is one of the most prominent peatland areas in Central Kalimantan Province. We
conducted socio-economic study of the community of three villages of Jabiren sub-district, i.e.
Pulang Pisau, Pilang and Jabiren, using a semi-structured interview. Objectives of the study were
to describe socio-economic characteristics of Jabiren community and to describe their perceptions
on peatland management. Data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis and followed
by Spearman’s analysis. Results showed that the main occupation of the respondents was farmer
of crops and paddy-rice. The farmers managed the land,both mineral soil and shallow peat-soil
for a mixed agriculture. Land holding of respondents varied among land covers: paddy-eld varied
from 2-3 ha, and farm varied from 3-21.3 ha. Rubber-tree based agroforesty with fruit trees was the
commonest agriculture practised by farmers. Proportion of revenue from on-farm was the highest
compared to home garden and paddy-eld. Correlation analysis showed that there is a positive
correlation between education level and participation in organization. The common problem of
on-farm activity was frequent re. According to farmers’ perception, irrigation is an important
factor for agriculture. However, large drainage (canal) would damage peatlands, drying peat and
peat become susceptible to re. Only 14% of respondents suggested building up pump-wells and
re-break to reduce re risk. Respondents who have already practiced crop planting since years
ago and had a wider network have a better perception on peatland management, compare with
respondents who used to be dependent on natural resources, as sherman and collecting forest
products.
Keywords: Agroforestry, farmer, sherman, Kahayan river
1. INTRODUCTION
Peatlands in Indonesia have signicant role in the functions of ecology, hidrology, bio-physics
and economic social of human being. The Government of Indonesia has been aware of these
important roles, the national strategy and master plan of sustainable management peatland was
launched in 2006. It aimed to (1) improve awareness and knowledge on peatlands, (2) overcome
peatland degradation, (3) accelerate wise and sustainable peatland management, (4) encourage
cooperation on the collective actions of sustainable peatland management among districts, cities
and provinces (Departemen Dalam Negeri, 2006).
Peatlands in Central Kalimantan has been suffering from re since years ago. Hoscillo et al. (2007)
reported that Block C of ex-mega rice project had burned from 1973 to 2005. The burned forest
has capability to revive through natural succession process (Rudel, 2009); however, retrieval
of the degraded ecosystem can be accelerated through restoration and rehabilitation (Lamb &
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Gilmour, 2003; Bonn, Allott, Joosten, Stoneman, 2016). To preserve peatland ecosystem, to enrich
biodiversity and to increase carbon stocks, the degraded peatland should be replanted with native
tree species and multi-purposes tree species which are adaptable to grow on peatland and rewetted
peatland.
The communities, who are living on peatland, depend their life on peatland resources. Peatland
provide four categories of ecosystem services, such as provisioning, regulating, supporting and
cultural and recreational benets (Bonn et al., 2016). The communities who live in peatland in
Central Kalimantan usually have activities in agriculture, shing and forestry (Beukering, Schaafma,
Davies, Oskolokaite, 2008; Medrilzam, Dargusch, Herbohn, Smith, 2013; Suwarno, 2016). The
three villages of Jabiren sub-district were selected because they are located along the Kahayan river
and have a gradient of peat depth, from the very deep peat in Tumbang Nusa to moderate peat
depth in Jabiren (Wetlands International Indonesia, 2004). Natural resources in deep peat usually
limited, owing to biophysical properties of peat soils (Veloo, Paramananthan, van Rants, 2014).
Therefore we evaluate socio-economics of the community of Jabiren sub-district, in order to
describe socio-economic characteristics of community of Jabiren and to describe their perceptions
on peatland management.
2. METHODS
The socio-economic study in Jabiren sub-district was conducted using a semi-structured
questionnaire. The respondent was selected randomly from three villages of Jabiren sub-district,
i.e. Tumbang Nusa, Pilang and Jabiren villages. The three villages are located along the Kahayan
river and the communities reside both along the river and the main road of Palangka Raya and
Banjarmansin. Respondent number of the three villages was 35 persons. The study was conducted
in March to April 2012.
We observed some parameters, such as (i) farming identity, (ii) institutional and partnership, and (iii)
farmer’s perception on peatland management. Secondary data were collected from the Agency of
Statistics Bureau of Pulang Pisau district, and the Agriculture Extension Service ofce of Jabiren
sub-district. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, and Spearman correlation test between
farming types, and it was calculated using SPSS ver. 16.0.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Results
Jabiren sub-district of Pulang Pisau district covers an area of 132.300 ha, consisted of 8 villages
and occupied by 8,300 populations (BPS Pulang Pisau, 2011). Among the three villages, Tumbang
Nusa covers the largest peatland (17,590 ha), followed by Pilang and Jabiren, with the total area of
14.550 ha and 1.250 ha, respectively (BPP Jabiren, 2010).
3.1.1 Characteristics of respondents
Respondent characteristics were shown at Table 1. Age of respondents varied from 33-76 years old,
which indicated many respondents were in the productive age. Total respondents were dominated
by men, and only 5.7% of respondents were women. About 74.3% of total respondents were local
people, while the rests were migrants from other provinces and have different tribes, such as Java,
Banjar, and Batak.
The main livelihood of the respondents was as rubber-farmers. Only few respondents (9.4 % of
total respondents), who lived along the river, were also collecting sh. The home garden of the
communities in Jabiren sub-district mainly consisted of mixed vegetation of vegetable, fruit trees
and tree-crops. Farmers like to plant fruit trees, such as pineapple, ‘rambutan’ (Nephelium lappaceum),
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paken (Durio kutejensis), ‘cempedak’ (Artocarpus champeden), and petai (Parkia speciosa) as the fruit are
easy to be sold. Other tree crops, such as cacao and rubber trees, were also planted as home garden.
Table 1: Respondent’s characteristics
Respondent’s characteristics
Village
Jabiren (n= 12 ) Pilang (n=12) Tumbang Nusa
(n=11)
Age (years) 33-63 34-76 36-64
Education (the highest frequency) High school (50%) High & Junior school (25%) Junior school (45.45%)
Main livelihood Farmer (75%) Farmer (75%) Farmer (45.45%)
Number of dependent family (person) 1-3 (66.67%) 1-3 (41.67%) >3 (54.54%)
Land holding:
• Rice eld (ha) 3.0 ± 0.88 2.0 ± 1.69 0
• Farm (ha) 21.29 ± 21.0 5.73 ± 4.21 2.87 ± 2.05
• Home garden (ha) 1.44 ± 1.8 0.5 ± 0.6 2.76 ± 0.6
Source: primary data
3.1.2 Farming types and production
Beside rice eld, farmers of the three villages managed their land (both mineral and peatland) as
a mixed cultivation. Rubber tree is the main commodity that was planted in the villages, both in
smallholder monoculture and agroforest with other tree commodities (Figure 1). Rubber tree can
be planted in the mineral and organic soil (peatland).
Figure 1: Farming types in Jabiren
The main source of livelihood comes from rice eld, farm and home garden. Yield average from
the main livelihood varied among the villages. In Tumbang Nusa village, where there was no rice
eld, farmers optimised their home garden as nurseries. Hence, the yield was counted as number
of seedlings per hectare (Table 2).
Table 2: Yield average from rice eld, farm and home garden
Village Yield average (ton/ha/year)
Rice eld Farm Home garden
Jabiren 1098.33 0.31 21,250
Pilang 920.37 1.18 5,100
Tumbang Nusa 0 0.94 75,000*
Source: primary data; *: unit: seedlings/ha
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3.1.3 Spearman correlation analysis
The Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to analyze correlation between categorical
and numerical parameter, which is shown at Table 3. Results show that education is correlated
positively with participation in an organization; on the other hand, sex has negative correlation with
participation in organization. Gross revenue has signicant positive correlation with farm holding,
farm revenue and participation in organization.
Table 3: Spearman correlation analysis of categorical parameter and farm holding and revenue of
the respondents in the Jabiren sub-district
Correlation
coefcient
Sex Occupation Education Organization Origin of
Resident
Farm
Holding
Farm’s
Revenue
Gross
Revenue
Sex 1
Occupation -0.178 1
Education -0.126 0.300 1
Organization -0.341* -0.239 0.451** 1
Origin of
resident 0.145 0.150 0.258 -0.12 1
Farm holding 0.075 -0.209 0.120 0.209 0.053 1
Farm’s revenue 0.158 -0.155 0.252 0.548** 0.123 0.334 1
Gross Revenue 0.122 -0.298 0.169 0.542** 0.078 0.354** 0.860** 1
Remark: * = signicantly different at the 0.05 level (2-tailed); ** = signicantly different at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)
3.1.4 Farming problems
Peatland management for farming in Jabiren encountered some problems. Respondents have
identied some common problems, such as frequent re and limited capital. Most respondents
stated that there was no problem in rice eld cultivation (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Some problems encountered in farming types
3.1.5 Collective action and institution
In the farming system, about 34.3% of the respondents stated doing collective actions. Most
respondents were managing the land individually. The communities usually do collective actions in
the land preparation, irrigation and road development, and re ghting.
Several organizations were developed in the three villages, such as farmer group (FG), cooperation,
and religious group (such as ‘pengajian’ group and prayer group). About 65.7% respondents
participated in at least one organization. Each group usually has a commitment to have a regular
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meeting. Every village has developed farmer groups (FG); there were 9 FGs in Jabiren, 4 FGs in
Pilang and 5 FGs in Tumbang Nusa (BPP Jabiren, 2010). An extension activity was conducted
irregularly, ranging from 5-8 times per year. An extension was responsible for every village to give
a counselling on agricultural, poultry and shery practices.
3.1.6 Perception on peatland management
Farmers’ perception on the current condition of peatland is shown in Figure 3. The respondents
stated that the general condition of peat-soil and peatland in the year 2012 was much better than
in 5-10 years ago. The better quality of peat soil was indicated by level of peat maturity, which
peat has been decomposed well. The mature the peat, the better peatland to be cultivated. Local
farmers recognised maturity of peat-soil by clenching up the soil and identifying the colour of the
peat soil. The decomposed peat has more compact and darker colour compared to un-decomposed
peat.
Figure 3: Farmers’ perception on the current condition of peatland
Farmers’ recommendations for the government (both local and national government) are shown
in Figure 4. Most respondents (about 40%) recommended for irrigation and canal development.
They mentioned that irrigation is crucial in agricultural development and peatland management.
Only one respondent recommended establishing a canal blocking in a big canal that has been
established in the west of Jabiren in the era of Mega Rice Project. He argued that the canal drained
water, so that the peatland was drying and became susceptible for re. About 14% of respondents
recommended establishing pump-wells and re breaks for re prevention.
Figure 4: Farmers’ recommendation on peatland management
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3.2 Discussion
The peatland area affected farming types of the respondents. There was no irrigated paddy eld
in Tumbang Nusa village, where encompassed the largest peatland area. Farmers in the study
area were only planted rice eld on the alluvial soil, where usually positioned along the river
banks. Rubber is the priority commodity of the three villages. Rubber latex production from the
respondents was 0.81 ton/ha/year (stdv: 0.72). Farmers managed home garden and rubber farm
in mixed farming systems, to optimize the yields despite of limited labour and time. Fruit trees,
such as Nephelium lappaceum, Artocarpus champeden, Durio kutejensis, Mangifera odorata, Musa sp., and
Ananas comosus, are usually planted with rubber trees. Some farmers also plant woody tree species,
such as Shorea balangeran (kahui) and Dyera polyphylla (pantung). The seedlings were purchased from
a seedling vendor, or were granted by the forestry institutions
Land holding of respondents in Tumbang Nusa village was very low, however they have other
options of livelihood, such as off-farm (as vendor, handyman), shing, collecting rattan and ‘purun’
grass (Elaocharis dulcis) from the forest, and nursery. Collecting rattan from forest of mixed farm is
not widely practised by rattan collector, because rattan price was not attractive anymore. The same
problem on the value chain of rattan has reported by Bizard (2013) and Myers (2014). In addition,
villagers who live along the river, were also collecting ‘purun’ grass. The grass has an economic
value and can be used for handicraft as mats, bags, hats, and others (Tata & Susmianto, 2016). The
value of ‘purun’ grass can be improved through improving quality of the products, and replanting
more ‘purun’ grass in restoration programme for continues supply.
There was a number of smallholder nurseries that has been established in Tumbang Nusa village.
The villagers have their own initiative to establish smallholder nursery of forest tree species,
because many rehabilitation projects and research have been conducted in this province. The seeds
and seedling sources were collected from the remnant forests in Jabiren sub-district and outside
the sub-district. The nursery of forest tree species have a good prospective in Central Kalimantan
province (Page, Hoscillo, Wosten, Jauhiainen, Silvius, …, et al., 2009; Osaki, Setiadi, Takahashi,
Evri, 2016)
The communities living on peatland depend on both forest and river resources. River as an integral
part of the peatland hydrological unit, is used by the community of Dayak Ngaju, a tribe who
are living on Kahayan river, as a main resource of livelihood and transportation. They have local
knowledge on cultivating and raising sh in the rivulet or ponds, by preserving habitat of the sh
(Nahan, Saputra, Juli, 2014). The potency of fresh sh of the village can be improved by adopting
cultivation technique. Some respondents (8%) suggested to the local government for a community
development programme on shery. In Riau, shery has been proposed as one important aspect in
the sustainable peatland management model, alongside with forestry, agroforestry and agriculture
aspects (Gunawan, Kobayashi, Mizuno, Kono & Kozan, 2016).
During the interview, some villagers realized that re was often occurred in a dry season. However,
very few respondents understood about peatland hydrology, as many of them recommended for
irrigation and drainage, on the other hand, only single respondent asked for blocking canal. After
the re in 2015, current situation has changed, where the community has high awareness on the
importance of re prevention.
Total gross revenue has a positive correlation with farm land-holding and revenue from farming
activity. The participation of respondents in an organization has also a positive correlation to
total gross revenue. Most respondents (65.7%) were participated in an organization,such as farmer
group, religious group, and cooperation. The interrelationship between human and natural resources
involves identifying feedback relationships among people, resources and institutions (Folke, 2006).
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The correlation analysis apparently showed that participation in an organization creates positive
feedback in the human social systems of peatland ecosystem in Jabiren sub-district.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The main livelihood of the community of Jabiren sub-district was rubber farmers. The production
of rubber latex was about 0,81 ton/ha/year. The rubber trees were planted on mineral soils and
shallow peatland. Most farmers practised a mixed farming system of rubber and fruit tree species,
which can optimize the land productivity and income. Some respondents (about 40%) had low
awareness on a sustainable peatland management.
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