Integrated crop-livestock system helps Kukar residents conserve forests
Samarinda (ANTARA) - The implementation of an agrosilvopasture system, which integrates the agricultural cultivation and livestock sectors within forest areas, has become a solution for residents in Kutai Kartanegara Regency (Kukar), East Kalimantan, to increase family economic welfare while simultaneously preserving the environment.
“The primary goal of this natural resource integration strategy is to empower local communities so they can achieve sustainable economic benefits without destroying forest ecosystem cover,” said the Acting Head of the East Kalimantan Forestry Service, Rusmide, in Samarinda on Saturday.
One manifestation of this integrated environmental conservation and economic empowerment effort is being implemented by members of the Bila Talang Madeng Village Institution in the Tabang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency.
Through assistance from the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Production Forest Management of the East Kalimantan Forestry Service, the community group managing 646 hectares of production forest is gradually beginning to combine the planting of food commodities with livestock maintenance within the same production area. These food crops include vegetables and spices such as bird’s eye chillies.
“The participatory learning methods we provide include direct field demonstrations so that farmers truly understand how to balance the productivity of cultivated land with the ecological functions of the trees,” said Rusmadi.
According to him, the combination of three elements—comprising agricultural crops, silvicultural tree stands, and grazing areas—has proven effective in improving the quality of soil nutrients that have begun to reach critical levels.
Rusmadi explained that this integrated spatial management approach also plays a vital role in minimising the risk of material losses for farmers caused by pest attacks or plant diseases that frequently plague conventional farming systems.
“The implementation of social forestry through the agrosilvopasture scheme is a form of collaboration between government officials and village community self-reliance to ensure the continuity of the biological ecosystem,” he added.
The comprehensive technical knowledge gained from the area management training provided by the East Kalimantan Forestry Service is transforming the traditional mindset of forest-fringe residents into independent, environmentally friendly entrepreneurs.